Francis (Frank) Edmondson
EDMONDSON, Francis (Frank), BSc(Eng) BE MIEAust (1920-1977)
Frank was born in Kalgoorlie on August 16, 1920, the son of engineer Francis Charles Edmondson and his wife Doris Lily Edmondson nee Cook. The family moved to Perth in 1923. Frank then attended Hale School. He sat his Junior in 1935 and Leaving in 1937. He commenced study at the University of Western Australia, in engineering, in 1939.
Completing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, he enlisted in the AIF on December 21, 1942 and served in the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He was able to attend his Graduation in April 1943. He served overseas in North Borneo rising to the rank of Lieutenant.
On April 11, 1947, he married Dorothea Julie Day at St Columb’s Church Hawthorn, Victoria. He and Julie had three daughters, Jolin, Pam and Elizabeth.
Frank was employed as a power and transmission engineer in SECWA. He was a lead engineer developing low-cost long distance rural transmission lines using timber poles with vertical insulators. The poles were arranged such that flash-overs caused by lightning strikes would self-extinguish as the surface layer of timber exploded outwards. Examples included the main 132 kV power line from the Perth region to Geraldton and similar lines in the South West. Wind-blown salt was a major technical issue for coastal power lines, causing severe corrosion in the presence of vibration from trailing vortices caused by prevailing winds. Frank sponsored several research projects to extend the life of installed overhead cables in coastal districts.
Frank had acute long-distance observation abilities developed over years of service in rural Western Australia.
He became a Student Member of the Institution of Engineers in 1942, a Junior Member in 1947 and became a Member in 1948. He was Chairman of the Western Australian Division of the Institution of Engineers in 1968 having previously served as Honorary Treasurer for the Division.
Frank died on December 30, 1977, aged 57, being survived by his wife and their three daughters.
His published papers include Lightning and the Perth Geraldton 132kv Line, University of Queensland 1975 and IEEE Transactions 1978.
His father Frank Edmondson was also Chairman of the Western Australian Division of the Institution of Engineers. Up to 2022, they are the only parent and child to have served in this role.
References:
West Australian, 30.4.1943, p. 3.
National Archives of Australia, EDMONDSON FRANCIS : Service Number - WX37201.
West Australian, 5.4.1947, p. 7.
Western Mail, 26.8.1954, p. 22.
