Gordon Munro
Gordon Munro | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1893-12-17 Frankston, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 1951-04-16 Macarthur, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Australian rules footballer, stock and station agent, soldier |
| Years active | 1920 (football) |
| Known for | Played for St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (VFL) |
Gordon McKenzie Munro (17 December 1893 – 16 April 1951) was an Australian rules football athlete who represented St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Family
Born in Frankston, Victoria on 17 December 1893, Gordon was the son of John Munro (1859–1923) and Caroline Munro (née Lockhart, 1860–1932). In 1921, he wed Adelaide Ina Jean Twist (1898–1955), and the couple had four children together.
Hawthorn (VFA)
Munro spent multiple seasons competing with Hawthorn when they were part of the VFA.
South Melbourne (VFL)
During the 1920 pre-season, he participated in training sessions with South Melbourne. Characterized as a "large player with a somewhat unpolished technique," he was anticipated to evolve into a follower comparable to Les Charge, a prominent figure in that role.
St Kilda (VFL)
Ahead of the match on 7 June 1920 against Collingwood, St Kilda experienced internal turmoil as coach George Sparrow and several players resigned in objection to Billy Schmidt’s inclusion. This led to many selected players refusing to take the field, compelling St Kilda to assemble a team of last-minute substitutes, among whom was Munro. His VFL tenure was limited exclusively to this game.
Although St Kilda was defeated, they managed to outscore Collingwood during the second half following strategic adjustments by newly appointed playing-coach Roy Cazaly. Munro was counted among the standout players for St Kilda in that encounter.
"Munro, who appeared for St Kilda on Monday, had not yet been granted his permit to play for the club. He had previously played with Hawthorn and trained with South Melbourne." – The Herald, 11 June 1920.
Military service
On 5 June 1942, Munro enlisted in the Second AIF. He served overseas with the 9th Battalion of the Australian Military Forces and was officially discharged on 20 September 1945.
Death
Munro passed away suddenly at his residence in Macarthur, Victoria, on 16 April 1951.
References
- World War Two Nominal Roll: Corporal Gordon McKenzie Munro (V383325), Department of Veterans' Affairs.
- World War Two Service Record: Corporal Gordon McKenzie Munro (V383325), National Archives of Australia.
- Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2014). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897. 10th ed. BAS Publishing, Seaford, Victoria.
- The Macarthur Show (Photo 10), The Weekly Times, 10 December 1938, p.31.