ABSTRACT
This chapter covers the period of Frank Coaldrake's first “furlough” back in Australia, from December, 1949 until July, 1950. During these eight months he married Maida Williams, lectured throughout Australia, and prepared for the next phase of the mission in Japan. The return to Japan was delayed by the problems of obtaining shipping passage with the outbreak of the Korean War in June, 1950, which was disrupting all Australian shipping to Asia. This period is important for two developments. First is the campaign against prejudice. The comment about “seeking better health” is significant. By the time he arrived in Sydney Frank was having difficulty walking. He was eventually diagnosed with beriberi and rickets by a doctor who had been imprisoned in a Japanese P.O.W. camp during the war. Despite the illness, Frank Coaldrake carried out a frenetic speaking schedule of sermons, speeches and newspaper interviews, from cathedral to country parish hall, from metropolitan newspaper to regional radio station.
