Words and photos by Darren Franklin
Woodwork has always been Arthur Hiddins’s passion. After returning from World War Two his father gave him some tools and along with purchasing his own, he went about making small jigsaws for a local Cairns kindergarden. His passion developed into making furniture, mirrors, and jewellry boxes. However, his true craftsmanship was shown in his beautiful and much sought after grandfather clocks.
His extensive workshop situated in his family home in Burrum Heads, Queensland is the setting for making these grand old clocks. Having purchased the working mechanisms in Brisbane and red cedar from the Atherton Tablelands, each clock is hand crafted with attention to detail producing a chiming clock standing well over two metres tall. In total, he has made over 20 of these clocks which are located all over Australia.
His craftsmanship has travelled as far as Panama, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia with the purchases of his jewellry boxes. Made of rose mahogany, these boxes are felt-lined with hand sculpured flora or fauna with the owner's name to cater for individual requests.
Whatever he sets his mind to, he accomplishes. Now 96 years of age, he still researches the internet and magazines on the next new lathe machine or jig piece and how he can improve on his skills. But that has been Arthur's strength, never give up and always learning. It was during the war that this trait had first surfaced.
Detached from his unit, he and four other soldiers where on the run behind enemy lines in Greece, eventually escaping to Turkey and rejoining their units in Egypt. For his actions he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery and is the last member alive of his battalion. In keeping up with technology, Arthur bought his first computer in the early 1990s and to this day uses the computer extensively, even communicating with overseas relatives.
The ever determined Arthur has recently fell ill and it was in hospital that he was seen reading the latest Australian Wood Review magazine. An avid reader of the magazine, we all hope Arthur will return to his workshop continuing his passion of crafting his amazing pieces.
Darren Franklin is the grandson of Arthur Hiddins
Arthur, the whole team at Wood Review wish you a speedy recovery and hope you can get back to your workshop very soon!
Below: Another fine red cedar clock emerges from the workshop of Arthur Hiddins.
