Frank Ainsworth Pickup

Returning home from battlefield service was a difficult prospect for many veterans of the First World War. However, support from family, friends and social networks helped many to live long and productive lives.

Frank Ainsworth Pickup was born in Windsor, outside of Sydney, in 1898. He came from a large family that included ten siblings, and two cousins who lived with them. He began a career as a public servant in 1915, at age 17.

Frank enlisted in the AIF when he was just 18, and served with the 54th Battalion. The Pickup family were noted to be great supporters of the war effort. His brother Clive also served with the AIF, and his sisters knitted socks, sent parcels, and organised farewell and welcome home gatherings for local soldiers.

After his return to Australia in 1919, Frank became active in the ex-service community. In 1927, he married Eileen Mary Parnell and the couple had three children. He retired in 1959, and led an active retirement involved with his family and the local RSL (of which he had been a foundation member), playing bowls, and building things in his three garden sheds up until his death in 1987. In his later years, he attended the RSL’s Old and Bold group every Thursday. Old and Bold gave former servicemen the chance to ask questions about their pensions, remember their fallen comrades, and simply have a chat.

In 2008, Frank’s war medals, official First World War portrait, and a copy of his commission were framed and given to his eldest son on his 80th birthday. The item is now owned and cherished by one of Frank’s great-grandsons.

His granddaughter attributes Frank’s long and active life in part to his close and enterprising family, his hobbies, and his participation in the ex-service community. She said, ‘I think Frank was very fortunate in coming from a big family, in a community where they were well known and respected.’

According to the family, this bookcase and blanket box were made by Frank after he returned home from the front. Along with other remembrances of Frank’s life, his granddaughter brought the blanket box and bookcase with her when she moved to Albury.