In November 2018, to commemorate 100 years since the Armistice in November 1918, we would like to introduce you to members of Caulfield RSL who helped to build this Club.
Gerald Leighton Patterson
Gerald Leighton Patterson is the first in the series of Caulfield RSL members of we would like to introduce you to.
Born in 1895, Patterson was educated at Scotch College and Trinity Grammar. He enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant.
He was awarded the Military Cross for bravery in 1917.
A champion tennis player, known for his strong serve and volley game, Patterson was named 'The Human Catapult'. He won the Wimbledon Men's Singles title in 1919 and 1922 and, with partner Suzanne Lenglen, the Mixed Doubles in 1920. He won the Australian Men's singles title in 1927 and numerous Australian double's titles from 1914 to 1932. He played Davis Cup Tennis over many years from 1919, captaining the team in 1946.
Post war, Patterson lived in Landsdale Place in Toorak, was a Life Member at ANZAC House and was listed on the 1948 Caulfield RSL Membership list.
He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1986, the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame in 1997.
Read more about Gerald Leighton Patterson here - http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/patterson-gerald-leighton-7982
Quick fact: Patterson was the nephew of famed Opera singer Dame Nellie Melba
Lest we forget