14 Facts About Frank Clune

Frank Clune was born in Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney in 1893, and grew up in Redfern.

Frank Clune left home at 15 and for five years lived the life of an adventurer, claiming to have had twenty-five different jobs by the age of 17, and enlisting with the US Army in Kansas 26 October 1911, deserting and going to sea.

Frank Clune joined the AIF in 1915 during World War I and was with the 16th Battalion at Gallipoli.

Frank Clune was wounded in action and repatriated a year after being wounded in both legs.

Frank Clune married Maud Roy in 1916; they divorced in 1920.

Frank Clune married again in 1923 to artist and sculptor Thelma Cecily Smith, established himself as a tax consultant and by 1930 had settled in Vaucluse.

Frank Clune broadcast "Roaming Round Australia" regularly on The ABC from 1945 to 1957.

Frank Clune was an effective promoter of Albert Namatjira and Australian Aborigines generally.

Frank Clune was criticised for embellishing the facts in the interests of the narrative, and was met with hostility by General Sir Thomas Blamey for his "irregular methods and indiscreet utterances" during WWII.

Frank and Thelma Clune were great friends and supporters of artist William Dobell for many years.

Frank Clune died on 11 March 1971 at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney at Darlinghurst, age 77.

Frank Clune was survived by his wife Thelma and his two sons: Anthony Patrick.

Frank Clune's portrait was painted by Sir William Dargie and by Sir William Dobell for the 1950 Archibald Prize.

Frank Clune was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1967 for services to Australian literature.