William F Bradley
Haberfield Rowing Club (NSW) and then Sydney Rowing Club (NSW)
The following has been taken from the Sydney Rowing Club annual report for season 1953-54.
OUR MOST RECENT HONORARY LIFE MEMBER
W. F. Bradley
Briefly, W. F. (Bill) Bradley commenced his rowing career with Scots College in 1928.
Haberfield Rowing Club gained his services in 1931, where he rowed until the 1933/34 season.
With a particular interest in sculling he joined Sydney Rowing Club in 1935 and next year [1936] won the Silver Sculls at Henley-on-Yarra.
By invitation he double sculled with C. Pearce (Balmain) at the British Empire Games held on the Nepean, in 1938, and later that year gained selection in the N.S.W.R.A. King's Cup Crew.
His rowing activity continued with Senior Club crews until 1948. Possibly, Bill is best known around the Club to-day as the 'Branch Manager', a position he has held continuously from 1938,
after election to the Club Committee in 1937.
His interest and services are still present in the sport, being a regular official at regattas for the N.S.W.R.A. and G.P.S.
1935 NSW crew with Bill Bradley in the two seat
Editor's note. The double scull at 1938 Empire Games was a test event and so not an official race at that regatta.
From the 1953-54 Sydney Rowing Club annual report
In 1970-71 annual report, his death was recorded with the following comments.
Bill Bradley was a Honorary Life Member and a highly respected Club member who gave many years of service to the Club. He was a highly successful oarsman. Bill Bradley was largely responsible for maintaining the Clubs operations during the war period when he acted as both treasurer and branch manager. The passing of Bill Bradley was a great loss to the Club.
Extracted by Andrew Guerin
December 2020