Always outspoken, especially for unsung heroes

 

In 1960, Walker was appointed press attaché at the embassy in Germany, where he again met King Taufa'ahu of Tonga, who had been to Newington and at Wesley College, Sydney University, with him. At an official dinner in the king's honour, Walker repeatedly called him "George", causing the host, Chancellor Karstens, to bristle.

 

Walker also caused the intelligence service some concern. Amused to see the resident Australian Security and Intelligence Service agent noting his book collection, Walker stacked his shelves with left-wing writings. He had an ongoing battle with Foreign Affairs snobs who derided journalists.

 

Walker was the last Australian to have contact with the Theodor Detmers, captain of the German raider Kormoran which sank HMAS Sydney. Detmers told him he could not believe his luck that the Sydney would come so close.

 

Walker gave details of their conversation to the present HMAS Sydney inquiry. After retiring in 1980 he settled in Budgewoi on the Central Coast, where he wrote books.

 

Many were about unsung heroes such as Lieutenant Henty Henty-Creer, killed in the midget submarine attack on the German battleship Tirpitz. While two Englishmen who performed similar feats received the Victoria Cross, Henty-Creer was only mentioned in dispatches.

 

Walker exposed this in The Mystery of X-5. His HMAS Armidale: The Ship That Had To Die revealed the heroism of Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean, who kept his firing his gun even after his corvette had sunk.

 

Walker's wife, Joyce, died in 1999 and he subsequently married Erika, who had migrated from Germany as result of the publicity about Australia that Walker had created.

 

Soon before his death Walker was awarded the Centenary Medal, for Australians who have made significant contributions to their country in the 20th century.

 

Frank Walker is survived by Erika, sons Peter and Frank, three grandchildren, a great-granddaughter and a stepdaughter, Sharon.