A 'Cool' Alchin Connection

An Alchin, a Brocklehurst & Antarctica

By Garry Norman Smith

Daphne May Alchin was the fourth-born daughter of Roy Irwin Alchin (1897-1972) and Doris Irene Thompson (1902-1990).  She was born on 8 March 1929. While Roy was born in Gunning, his daughters – Hazel Doris, Joyce Irene, Ellen Elizabeth and Daphne May – were born in Dural, NSW, in the Hills District of Sydney.

Daphne Alchin remained single until she married Frank Ivan Brocklehurst (1928-1999) at Northmead on 20 September 1972.

Daphne Alchin & Frank Brocklehurst

Daphne and Frank first met in primary school and other family members seemed to be enjoying the longest ever courtship.

Roy's daughter, Daphne May Alchin

Frank had been something of a traveller in his early years – Papua New Guinea and Canada – but perhaps his “coolest” destination was the continent of Antarctica.
Daphne was there to farewell him to overseas destinations, including in 1964 when Frank left Sydney for Hobart and from Hobart to Mawson Base in Antarctica.

Frank arrived in Antarctica on board the 'Nella Dan'

From that moment all correspondence was via censored radiograms. Decoding Frank’s correspondence was an unusual but rather cool activity for many months for Daphne.

Frank Brocklehurst (on right) at Mawson Base 1964

The Mawson Station, is one of three permanent bases and research outposts in Antarctica managed by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). Mawson lies in Holme Bay in Mac Robertson Land, East Antarctica in the Australian Antarctic Territory, a territory claimed by Australia. Established in 1954, Mawson is Australia's oldest Antarctic station and the oldest continuously inhabited Antarctic station south of the Antarctic Circle. Accessible by sea for only a short 2 month period every austral summer. (Wikipedia)

Frank - Antarctic explorer 1964-5

Frank was recognised for his services as one of the Mawson party with the Antarctic Service Medallion.

   The Author presenting Frank's Antarctica Memorabilia to the
 library of the Australian Antarctic Division, Hobart, Tasmania

(More information on the codes used by Antarctic expeditions are on the website of ANARE) - (Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions) https://www.anareclub.org/web/stories-history-gallery/anare-telegraphic-code.php