W. J. Whitham A Rugby Man

Press, Volume C, Issue 29557, 5 July 1961, Page 13

W. J. Whitham A Rugby Man

Rugby players, administrators and supporters in many parts of New Zealand will have noted with regret the death last Saturday of Mr William James Whitham, ore of the best-known personalities in the sport in Canterbury. He gave many years of service to the game as a selector. coach, player and administrator. Born at Ohoka in 1891. Mr Whitham spent his early years there, and then went to Lyttelton. He played for the Lyttelton senior team which won the President’s Cup grade in 1912. After being transferred to Oamaru. Mr Whitham represented North Otago as a first five-eighths in 1913 and 1914. In 1915 he Joined the N.Z.E.F.. going oversea* with the 12*41 Battery. Royal New Zealand Artillery In France he played for the New Zealand forces team, but he war wounded at Passshendale and that ended his plavinr career After the war Mr Whlthem was in Christchurch He became secretarv of the Albion club in Christchurch in 1924 and held office for three years. He coached ‘h* Albion wtiior team from 1926 to 1928 when the team ineluded such fine players as Read Masters and Herb Lilbwne. Mr Whitham also coached the Albirei seniors from l«rt tn 1935 th» 'fam w>"ing Vie ehampicnshin in 1934 and b"n? rußner-u n ’he foil on*. ! rg vear tn 1938 and 1937 M- Whi’hsm was sole Cuater-b”-v selector, and chose the team to nlav ‘be Springboks at Laocss’er Park He wa« f-»r several years patron of t>- Albion elub. end In the 1 osffs wrote on Rugby for “Truth" for several year*. Tn recent years he was an member of the S* AU-ens Bowlin* Ch>b Mr Whitham is **"•'*’ to have beer in the Public Serv:ce 1-meer th’" ar’-one 1" in hl* v«*r ’«-'th w’e" t»e d ; *d 4 **er *3 v. sr? w ’*h tb» °"*‘ h»h. inland Revenue I>nar*men’ A Mr De« V” Old Bovs «*nlor coach for f~t- veers, hhe team fm!*e beinw r«njer-W N ‘ha’ He 1* nW Old Boy* colts’ selector and coach.