Richard Augustus Willoughby Green

Born - 15th June 1836 Kent Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia (not Greenwich)

Most articles you will see say he was born in Greenwich – but the official records do not agree with this. He did live at Greenwich for many years but also in many other places around Sydney and in Pittwater.

Birth Rego no V1836149 and 20/1836 St Philips Church of England, Sydney, Australia

Baptised- 20th July 1936 at St Phillips Church of England Sydney by the Rev. William Cowper, Date of birth given as 15th June 1836 Parents listed as George and Maria Green living in Sydney, Father’s Occupation Boatbuilder

(His 5 following siblings were all baptised on the same day 10th June 1851 - at Willoughby and their parents address given as Milson’s Point, so we can not determine when they moved to Greenwich or Milson’s Point from this).

He stood in his early manhood 5ft 10 inches and he is still very erect in his carriage. His rowing weight, in condition, was 11 stone 13 pounds. –from newspaper article see later.

Died – 6th September 1921 Inmate in Gladesville Hospital for the Insane, Gladesville Sydney NSW age 85 Cause of Death - Senile Decay –from Ray Green

Mary Mannings has his death certificate.

Death Rego no 10608/1921 Drummoyne, NSW, Australia.

Buried – 7th September 1921 Gore Hill Cemetery Church of England section Row 60 with wife Frances– no dates on headstone

In Loving memory of

Frances

Beloved wife of R. A. W. Green

Also-

Richard A.W. Green

Home at Last

– also mother Maria Green –nee Bates Row 59

- son Richard Willoughby Green, and Lydia Green – nee Gilbert and - grandchildren Richard Augustus Green and Robert Gilbert Green Row 60

All situated close together.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/15985791?searchTerm=richard...|||anyWords|||notWords|||ltextSearchScope=*ignore*%7C*ignore*|||fromdd=06|||frommm=09|||fromyyyy=1921|||todd=06|||tomm=10|||toyyyy=1922|||lword=*ignore*%7C*ignore*|||sortby#reloadOnBack

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)- Wednesday 7 September 1921

GREEN.--September 6, 1921, Richard A. W. Green, of Greenwich, late champion sculler of Australia, aged 85 years. At rest. http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/15985751?searchTerm=richard...|||anyWords|||notWords|||ltextSearchScope=*ignore*%7C*ignore*|||fromdd=06|||frommm=09|||fromyyyy=1921|||todd=06|||tomm=10|||toyyyy=1922|||lword=*ignore*%7C*ignore*|||sortby#pstart124213

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) - Wednesday 7 September 1921

GREEN - The Funeral of the late RICHARD A. W. GREEN, will leave his late residence, “Warren” Greenwich Rd Greenwich, THIS AFTERNOON at 3.15 for Church of England Cemetery Gore Hill.

W OOD COFFILL LIMITED.

GREEN-The Friends of Mr and Mrs RICHARD, Mr and Mrs SID, Mr and Mrs CHARLES, Mr and Mrs. GUSS, and Mr and Mrs FRANK GREEN and families are invited to attend the funeral of their late beloved FATHER and GRANDFATHER Richard A.W.; to leave “Warren”, Greenwich Road Greenwick, THIS AFTERNOON at 3 15, for Church of England Cemetery, Gore Hill.

WOOD COFFILL LIMITED

GREEN - The Friends of Mrs FRANCES CHAPMAN, Mr and Mrs PHARO, Mr and Mrs G. FRAY and FAMILIES are invited to attend the Funeral of their beloved FATHER and GRANDFATHER Richard A. W.; to leave “Warren”, Greenwich Road Greenwich, THIS AFTERNOON, at 3.15 for Church of England Cemetery, Gore Hill.

WOOD COFFILL LIMITED. The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 19 September 1843

George Green’s children mentioned are George Amaziah aged 12 and Henry Thomas aged 9.

Known Occupations -

• Shipwright.
• Became interested in sculling aged 14 and at aged 17 won his first race as an amateur sculler on 30th November 1853 and then turned professional and on the 24th June 1856 won the Australian Championship which he held till1866, he was beaten in 1867 - aged 30.
• Went to the Hobart Regatta 1861.
• First Australian to challenge (in any sport at world level) when he challenged for the World Championship Sculling race, 1863 London, England.

(This was confirmed by George Crawford, author of “Sportifacts”in answer to Ken Goswell’s query in a November 1976 edition of the “Sydney Daily Telegraph” newspaper and also David Payne – Australian Maritime Museum)

• He also tutored scullers e.g. Laycock, Rush and Trickett. Trickett and Greens homes were side by side in George Street, Greenwich (date unknown)
• Farmer at Artarmon and brick maker at Gore Hill (1870’s)
• Publican – Old Champion Sculler’s Arms Hotel, George Street, Sydney. (1880’s).
• Richard Green for many years engaged in gardening pursuits in the North Shore district lately removed to Pittwatter (Australian Town and Country Journal article dated 4th December 1886).

'To the Editors of the Sydney Morning Herald. GENTLEMEN, - Having seen an article in this day's paper, stating some particulars of the accident which took place at the boat-race on Wednesday last, on which occasion Mr. George Green proved his superior skill in boat-sailing, as well as his strenuous and humane exertions to save the life of his fellow creatures, at the hazard of loss of life to himself and two of his sons (one twelve years, and the other only nine years of age), who were his whole boat's crew. When Mr Green picked up the body of the unfortunate gentleman, there was no other boat in sight, so that, while Mr. G. was getting the body on board, the boat was entirely managed by his children; therefore, if any accident had happened, Mr. G. and his boys would have been inevitably lost- and what is more, there was at the same time a heavy gale of wind and a very rough sea, and Mr. G, was for some time endeavouring to restore life, by bleeding and other means, but without effect. This is not a solitary act of humane bravery on the part of Mr. Green: as, about eleven years since, a boat containing five persons was capsized in Darling Harbour, when Mr. Green alone went in a boat to their rescue, but not being able to get them into his boat, he immediately leaped overboard, and succeeded in saving four of the five, two of whom were a father and his daughter; the other daughter Mr. G. grasped, but her dress gave way, and she was unfortunately drowned. The late much lamented Mr. and Miss Cavendish cannot but be still in remembrance of the public ; when Mr. G. seeing Mr. C 's boat upset, left the race and picked up both him (Mr. C ) and his sister, leaving the other boats to contend for the Prize. For these unprecedented acts of humanity, I am informed by Mr Green, that all the recompence he has received has been the basest of ingratitude-not even having been thanked for his exertions. Fourteen other cases of drowning Mr. G. has been concerned in; from one alone he received thanks, that was from Mr. H. S. Green, of the Cricketer's Arms; nay so much to the contrary of gratitude, one of the men Mr. Green rescued from a watery grave, did, during the riots at the late Elections, with four others, give chase to Mr. G, in order to wreak their vengeance on him for being of the opposite party to themselves. When the citizens of Sydney have read the above unvarnished facts, I hope they will unanimously come forward, and by their conduct shew that humanity and bravery shall never go unrewarded. I am, gentlemen, Your obedient servant, AN EYEWITNESS. Sydney, September 15.

=================================

"Australia had sporting champions before it had self-government.

The earliest champions were watermen. A waterman’s trade was working small boats, and a waterman’s sport was racing them. In the many splendid bays and coves of Port Jackson, and along reaches of the Parramatta River, ‘pullers’ won their rowing laurels and (sometimes) made their fortune. Australia’s first six champion oarsmen are the stars of Port Jackson Pullers. These men led the way to the nation’s future dominance of the World Sculling Championship. Until now, any history of Australian sculling began in the year 1876, when Edward Trickett won the Championship of the Thames. But Trickett emerged from a well-organised aquatic sport which was flourishing on the waters of Port Jackson decades before he first stepped into a boat. John Brennan, George Mulhall, Thomas McGrath, Richard Green, William Hickey, and James Punch: six names that deserve honour in the world of rowing. Champions all, and all of humble origin, they fathered and furthered Australian professional sculling. Richard Green took it furthest of all, to the River Thames where, in 1863, he raced Britain’s best for the Championship of the World. Professional rowing was not established in Port Jackson without colour or controversy. In rough-and-tumble colonial times, good sportsmanship was an optional extra. Port Jackson Pullers revives and explores this vigorous, and occasionally villainous scene."

With a Foreword by Scott Bennett.