SPORTING CONNECTION

Thank you for your illuminating articles in AG 147. I was particularly interested in references to post-Armistice sporting activities of the AIF (Australian Imperial Force), because I was vaguely aware that my grandfather W. R. (Roger) Bradley had played rugby in England while awaiting a ship home. I was thrilled to see the photograph of the AIF First XV on page 95 (above) and immediately recognised my grandfather in the photograph (third from the right, top row). Searching through family papers, I came across a copy of a frail certificate from the King’s Cup Championship presented to Sergeant W. R. Bradley by Major General Harrington at the end of the tournament. I also discovered a book entitled Soldiers and

Sportsmen, written by Lieutenant G. H. Goddard and published in 1919, setting out the history of sporting tournaments in which AIF soldiers participated in 1919 while waiting for passage back to Australia. Your article has inspired some long overdue research into my family’s history, which

I’ll continue at the Australian War Memorial, but I wanted to thank you for the inspiration that your article provided. GRAHAM BRADLEY, NEUTRAL BAY, NSW