Walter Denison

Walter Denison (10 November 1870 – 2 October 1954) was a New Zealand lawn bowls player who won a gold medal in the men's pair at the 1938 British Empire Games.

Walter Denison
Denison in 1939
Personal information
Born(1870-11-10)10 November 1870
Auckland, New Zealand
Died2 October 1954(1954-10-02) (aged 83)
Auckland, New Zealand
Spouse(s)
Frances Mitcham
​
(m. 1896)​
RelativesOswald Denison (son)
Sport
CountryNew Zealand
SportLawn bowls
ClubBalmoral Bowling Club, Auckland
Medal record
Representing  New Zealand
Men's lawn bowls
British Empire Games
Gold medal – first place 1938 Sydney Pairs

Early life

Born in Auckland on 10 November 1870, Denison was the son of Mary and William Denison.[1][2] As a young man, he was active as a swimmer, rower, wrestler and boxer, and in later life he was a timekeeper for the Auckland Wrestling Association for 20 years.[2]

On 14 October 1896, Denison married Frances Mitcham,[3] and the couple had eight children.[2]

Career

A member of the Balmoral Bowling Club in Auckland, Denison served as the club president from 1925 to 1926. He represented New Zealand in the men's pairs at the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney, winning the gold medal alongside Lance Macey.[2][4][5] At the same games, Denison's son, Oswald, won a bronze medal representing New Zealand in the men's rowing eight.

Outside of bowls, Denison was a jeweller. With William Brackenbury Kirkman, he founded the retail and manufacturing firm of Kirkman and Denison Jewellers in the 1890s, and he continued the business by himself after Kirkman's retirement.[2] He served as vice-commodore of the Waitemata Boating Club and the Manukau Cruising Club at various times.[2]

Denison died in Auckland on 2 October 1954, and was survived by his wife.[2][6] His ashes were buried at Waikumete Cemetery.[7]

References
  1. "Birth search: registration number 1870/16173". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  2. "Obituary: Mr W. Denison". New Zealand Herald. 9 October 1954. p. 12.
  3. "Marriage search: registration number 1896/3566". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  4. "Walter Denison". New Zealand Olympic Committee. 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  5. "Bowlers return". New Zealand Herald. 15 February 1938. p. 12. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  6. "Deaths". New Zealand Herald. 4 October 1954. p. 1.
  7. "Burial record for Walter Denison". Auckland Council. Retrieved 26 May 2018.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.