The dead tell tales
Robert Bruce (Bob) Frankham 1914 – 2006
The Hamilton Municipal Pools hold strong memories for Hamiltonians, whether keen swimmers or just those wanting to cool off in a hot summer. The pools were the focus for varying reasons: recreation, exercise regimes or training for competitions. For 28 years Robert (Bob) Frankham was the key to the pools’ popularity amongst the competition swimmers, as a renowned coach with many successes to his credit.
Bob Frankham’s swimming success began at a young age – at 12 he won his first cup as the Auckland regional champion for the 50 yards sprint. In 1932 and 1933, while still in his teens, he broke records for distances of 50, 100, 200 and 400 yards, records he held until 1939. In 1941, despite having done little racing in the previous two years, he again won the 100 yards title, the NZ Herald (January 23, 1941) stating “he undoubtedly retains his pace chiefly because of his excellent gliding style”. A few weeks later Frankham won his third championship of the season.
In 1944 Bob Frankham came to Hamilton as a consequence of his reputation as a champion swimmer. Under the Manpower regulations during WWII he was appointed custodian to the Municipal Pools, but found his duties included teaching personnel of the Te Rapa RNZAF Station to swim.
Under Frankham’s tutelage the standard of Hamilton’s swimmers rose and within a few years people from other areas were coming to the Municipal Pools because of his reputation. In 1946 Maureen Holman became Hamilton’s first national champion; in 1954 another of Bob’s pupils, Jack Doms, won gold at the Commonwealth Games in Vancouver. All the members of the 1950 silver-medal winning women’s relay team had been trained by Bob at the Munies as they were affectionately known. Over the years he trained more than 100 champion swimmers.
Frankham also gave swimming demonstrations, including at Cambridge and Huntly swimming carnivals. In one special event at the Municipal Poolshe gave a demonstration of correct breathing, arm control and rhythm.
In 1950 Frankham drew attention to the fact that the pools were not heated, and that this hampered training and put local swimmers at a disadvantage. Plans for a boiler were signed off at the end of 1950.
Bob, wife Nancy and son Perry lived in Casey’s Avenue in Claudelands, in a state house that they bought. After he left council employment in 1972, a swimming pool was built in the backyard by the parents of Bob’s pupils and Bob started his own swimming school. His learn-to-swim classes continued until he was 70.
In 1973 Frankham was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to swimming. This distinction entitled Bob and Nancy to attend one of the Queen’s garden parties at Buckingham Palace, one of the pleasures of Bob’s life.
But Bob Frankham’s most satisfying and rewarding memory was of teaching children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities to swim, getting into the pool with them and supporting them - he described this as one of the highlights of his life.
Bob Frankham died in 2006 and was buried at Hamilton Park Cemetery.
Hamilton City Council has advertised its intention to demolish the Hamilton Municipal Pools. The pools are listed as a Category B Heritage Building on the District Plan. Anyone interested in making a submission to council regarding the proposed demolition can do so through the council’s website or by getting a submission form from the council offices. Submissions close on March 20.
Many thanks to Perry Frankham for his assistance with writing his father’s story. For a fuller account of Bob’s life see Roy Burke’s obituary published in the Waikato Times
January 21, 2006.