RHODES SCHOLAR, TEACHER, OLYMPIAN
Situated in the Unconsecrated/East Section of Jesmond Old Cemetery.
Wilfrid was born on the 26th November 1904 in Winchester, New Zealand. He attended Victoria University of Wellington, where he studied mathematics. He was obviously a very clever chap as, in 1926, he was selected as a Rhodes Scholar to study at Balliol College, Oxford. In 1931, Wilfrid took up a position at Marlborough College, Wiltshire, teaching physics.
In July 1933, Wilfrid married Ms. Eileen A.M. Winter at St. Martin, London and set up their home at Appledene, Leaze Road, Marlborough.
As well as being an intellectual, Wilfrid was also a good sportsman, excelling at athletics, cricket and rugby. He was selected to represent New Zealand in the 1928 Summer Olympic games, held in Amsterdam, competing in the 110 metre hurdles, where he finished 4th in Heat 3, and the triple jump, where he finished 23rd with a jump of 12.94 metres. Interestingly, it was reported that Wilfrid paid his own way to and from the Olympics.
While at Oxford between 1928 and 1931, Wilfrid played 8 ‘first – class’ cricket matches for the University, played Minor Counties Championship cricket for Oxfordshire and received an Oxford Blue for his athletic prowess.
Wilfrid’s Grandaughter, Caroline, told us that her Grandparents moved to Newcastle in the early 1990’s to be near their youngest daughter, Caroline’s Aunt Mary, (who used to run the Oak Tree health food shop on Acorn Road, Jesmond), moving next door in Holly Avenue, Jesmond. They loved living in Newcastle, being surrounded by family and friends. Eileen died in 2006, aged 94 and Wilfred died in 1999, aged 95.
Many thanks to Wilfrid’s Grandaughter, Carol, for sharing his story and photos with us. Other information has been sourced from Wilfrid’s Wikipedia page.