The Tom Keddie Memorial Shield has been gifted to the Sydney Flying Squadron. A magnificent work of the silversmith’s art, it is a significant trophy in the history of the 10-footer class as well as the 18-footers.
Tom Keddie was the owner/skipper of the 10-footer Waratah, an image of which is built into the Shield. Tom commissioned the boat from builder Edgar Dearing in 1907 and won the first race they entered, the season opener at the Balmain Dingy Club on 22 September 1907 off 1/2 minute handicap. They carried on in the same manner with 11 wins, 10 seconds (including in the Australian Championship in Brisbane), 4 thirds and a fourth in their first season. They won the opening race the following season, as well as the NSW State Championship. At that time the 10-footers raced at three different clubs, the Balmain Dingy Club, the Sydney Dingy Club and the Lane Cove Amateur Sailing Club, and Tom was on the committee of at least one of those clubs (Lane Cove). He was well-regarded and popular.
Tom Keddie suffered from diabetes and died at his parents’ home in Margaret St Woolwich in May 1909 on his 26th birthday. Because of the high regard in which he was held, the 10-footer clubs combined with the two 18-footer clubs the Sydney Sailing Club and the Sydney Flying Squadron to commission a trophy for annual competition amongst the 10-footers. The involvement of the two 18-footer clubs suggests that the ever-generous founder and Commodore Mark Foy probably contributed significantly to the funds required.
Tom Keddie suffered from diabetes and died at his parents’ home in Margaret St Woolwich in May 1909 on his 26th birthday. Because of the high regard in which he was held, the 10-footer clubs combined with the two 18-footer clubs the Sydney Sailing Club and the Sydney Flying Squadron to commission a trophy for annual competition amongst the 10-footers. The involvement of the two 18-footer clubs suggests that the ever-generous founder and Commodore Mark Foy probably contributed significantly to the funds required.
Waratah, Tom Keddie’s own 10-footer. His brother Wal took over the boat and won the inaugural contest for the Shield. SFS collection.
The Shield was first contested for the following season, in February 1910, and quite fittingly Tom’s brother Wal Keddie won the race in Tom’s boat Waratah. He won by 7 minutes, but proved it was not a fluke by continuing the boat’s success in other races in the next few seasons, including a dead heat with NSW when the Shield was contested for the following season, and 2nd place in the next, the 1911-12 season.
The Shield ended up in the care of sailor Frank Burrows, whose career is difficult to trace because he was a sought-after crew but not a skipper, and they usually do not get written about. But from photographs in his family’s collection, he apparently knew several of the later winners of the Shield, including Horrie Balkwell with whom we know he sailed on the 18-footer Tek in the late 1950’s and early ‘60’s, Ken Morrow and the King brothers. Gordon and Stan King owned and sailed the 18-footer Avalon in the 1930’s and ‘40’s (Frank Burrows may have been in the crew), and Stan sailed the 10-footer Wallaby in the late 1930’s and was the last winner of the Shield in the 1940-41 season. The fact that Frank Burrows ended up with the trophy points to him being part of Wallaby’s crew.
The Shield was first contested for the following season, in February 1910, and quite fittingly Tom’s brother Wal Keddie won the race in Tom’s boat Waratah. He won by 7 minutes, but proved it was not a fluke by continuing the boat’s success in other races in the next few seasons, including a dead heat with NSW when the Shield was contested for the following season, and 2nd place in the next, the 1911-12 season.
The Shield ended up in the care of sailor Frank Burrows, whose career is difficult to trace because he was a sought-after crew but not a skipper, and they usually do not get written about. But from photographs in his family’s collection, he apparently knew several of the later winners of the Shield, including Horrie Balkwell with whom we know he sailed on the 18-footer Tek in the late 1950’s and early ‘60’s, Ken Morrow and the King brothers. Gordon and Stan King owned and sailed the 18-footer Avalon in the 1930’s and ‘40’s (Frank Burrows may have been in the crew), and Stan sailed the 10-footer Wallaby in the late 1930’s and was the last winner of the Shield in the 1940-41 season. The fact that Frank Burrows ended up with the trophy points to him being part of Wallaby’s crew.
Frank Burrows (far right) became the custodian of the Shield. He had an active sailing life as crew, including surviving this collision of Alruth with the ferry Bellubera in a League race in 1961. Daily Telegraph Nov 6, 1961 p 1.
Below: Frank Burrows’ descendants Claire and Bernadette (right) presented the Shield to the SFS. From left, Jeremy Clarke who discovered it, Julie Hodder MHYC historian and John Steamer Stanley, SFS historian.
Below: Frank Burrows’ descendants Claire and Bernadette (right) presented the Shield to the SFS. From left, Jeremy Clarke who discovered it, Julie Hodder MHYC historian and John Steamer Stanley, SFS historian.
The Shield was gifted to the SFS by Frank’s descendants, Claire and Bernadette Corcoran. The Shield was spotted at one of the sisters’ homes by visiting tradesman Jeremy Clarke, a sailor from Middle Harbour Yacht Club who mentioned it to that Club’s historian Julie Hodder who immediately raised it with our John Steamer Stanley, knowing his connection with historical skiffs. Between the three of them they were able to convince the sisters to donate it to the Sydney Flying Squadron, and a handing-over ceremony took place at the Squaddie in late November. You can see it on display in the Board Room.
The SFS is the natural home for the Tom Keddie Memorial Shield. Of the five Clubs whose pennants are displayed on the Shield three no longer exist and the Sydney Sailing Club merged with the Sydney Flying Squadron in 1925. The extinct 10-footer clubs were feeder clubs to the Sydney Flying Squadron, and every winner of the Shield spent time as an 18-footer skipper (or frd hand in the case of Stan King).
The SFS is the natural home for the Tom Keddie Memorial Shield. Of the five Clubs whose pennants are displayed on the Shield three no longer exist and the Sydney Sailing Club merged with the Sydney Flying Squadron in 1925. The extinct 10-footer clubs were feeder clubs to the Sydney Flying Squadron, and every winner of the Shield spent time as an 18-footer skipper (or frd hand in the case of Stan King).
The Shield was commissioned by the 5 clubs whose pennants are on the trophy. From left Sydney Dingy Club, Sydney Flying Squadron, Sydney Sailing Club, Balmain Dingy Sailing Club, Lane Cove Amateur Sailing Club.
Tom Keddie’s brother Wal sold his own 10-footer Planet and campaigned Waratah for several more seasons. He also began steering 18-footers, including Sunny South in the 1910-11 season and Nimrod in 1912-13. He joined up in 1915 and went to the Middle East as part of the 12th Light Horse and took part in the charge on Beersheba (see Adrienne Jackson et al: Setting Sail for the Great War, SFS 2016, available at the SFS). After the War he and a mate Tom Young bought the 18-footer Moyana in 1921, and Onda in 1923-24 which they campaigned until 1937.
P.”Chiddy” Harry won the Shield in 1912 in Myra. He started steering 18’s in 1913 with Acme, made guest appearances in Quibree , Mississippi and Swastika in 1914, 1915 and 1916, and steered Sunny South for most of the 1916-17 season.
George Drysdale won in Wheatear (the re-named NSW) in the 1912-13 season and later skippered 18’s including Pastime. After this season the 10-footers appear to have gone into hibernation for the War years, and even though there were moves to get the Shield races up and running again in the early 1920’s when the 10-footers began racing again, this did not happen until the 1933-34 season, when Ken Morrow won in Eileen. They repeated the win in 1939-40. Ken went on to build and campaign his 18-footer Kangaroo for 5 seasons from 1949.
The winner in 1934-35 was Horrie Balkwell in Gerard. He won again in 1938-39 in Jean. Horrie sailed as frd hand in several 18’s, and steered many more after that, most of which he owned, and several of which he built. He sailed Novice, All British, Narrabeen Lakes, Betty, Victor, Marjorie, The Tiger, Unique, Progress and Sylvia Too between 1938 and 1954.
P.”Chiddy” Harry won the Shield in 1912 in Myra. He started steering 18’s in 1913 with Acme, made guest appearances in Quibree , Mississippi and Swastika in 1914, 1915 and 1916, and steered Sunny South for most of the 1916-17 season.
George Drysdale won in Wheatear (the re-named NSW) in the 1912-13 season and later skippered 18’s including Pastime. After this season the 10-footers appear to have gone into hibernation for the War years, and even though there were moves to get the Shield races up and running again in the early 1920’s when the 10-footers began racing again, this did not happen until the 1933-34 season, when Ken Morrow won in Eileen. They repeated the win in 1939-40. Ken went on to build and campaign his 18-footer Kangaroo for 5 seasons from 1949.
The winner in 1934-35 was Horrie Balkwell in Gerard. He won again in 1938-39 in Jean. Horrie sailed as frd hand in several 18’s, and steered many more after that, most of which he owned, and several of which he built. He sailed Novice, All British, Narrabeen Lakes, Betty, Victor, Marjorie, The Tiger, Unique, Progress and Sylvia Too between 1938 and 1954.
Eileen won the Shield 3 times, twice under builder Ken Morrow, once under Ernie Ellis. From a BDSC programme Sunday 15 January 1939.
Jean won twice, once under Bill Edney and once under Horrie Balkwell who also won in his own boat Gerard. Burrows family collection.
In 1935-36 the Shield was won by Jean steered by Bill Edney, who steered 18’s like Gloria, Una, Arline and Swastika from the early 1900’s until the late 1930’s. In 1935-37 Eileen won again, this time steered by Ernie Ellis who went on to campaign an 18-footer of the same name, including becoming State Champion in the 1940-41 season.
Balmain footballer Tony Russell steered Australia win the shield in 1937-38. Tony steered many 18-footers including Native (the former Scot) during the WW2 years, and Marjorie Too in which he won the World Championship in 1948-49.
The last contest for the Shield was in 1940-41 in which Wallaby won steered by owner Stan King who was also co-owner of the 18-footer Avalon steered by his brother Gordon.
The Shield now lives on display for all to see at the Sydney Flying Squadron. It is a symbol of an era that was in the middle of the golden years of 18-footer sailing, and the last period before the Great War resulted in many well-regarded sailors losing their lives too early, too many of them to each get a memorial shield.
Balmain footballer Tony Russell steered Australia win the shield in 1937-38. Tony steered many 18-footers including Native (the former Scot) during the WW2 years, and Marjorie Too in which he won the World Championship in 1948-49.
The last contest for the Shield was in 1940-41 in which Wallaby won steered by owner Stan King who was also co-owner of the 18-footer Avalon steered by his brother Gordon.
The Shield now lives on display for all to see at the Sydney Flying Squadron. It is a symbol of an era that was in the middle of the golden years of 18-footer sailing, and the last period before the Great War resulted in many well-regarded sailors losing their lives too early, too many of them to each get a memorial shield.
Wallaby was the last winner of the Shield. Frank Burrows may have been in the crew. Burrows family collection.
Stan King owner/skipper of Wallaby also owned the 18-footer Avalon with his brother Gordon. Frank Burrows may have been in the crew of this boat also. Burrows family collection.
There are more great photos of Avalon listed alphabetically on the 18-FOOTERS Page, and there are photos and info on Waratah, Eileen, Jean and Gerard on the 10-FOOTERS Page.
There are more great photos of Avalon listed alphabetically on the 18-FOOTERS Page, and there are photos and info on Waratah, Eileen, Jean and Gerard on the 10-FOOTERS Page.
SFS Historian John Stanley asked Dennis Demuth, the Club's go-to expert on trophies to research the hallmarks on the Tom Keddie Shield. Here is his report.
This beautiful and historic trophy was crafted by Sheffield manufacturer Walker & Hall established by George Walker in 1845. By 1909, the year this trophy was made, W & H had established themselves as the United Kingdom’s leading manufacturer of quality silverware and silverplate, producing a wide range of household articles, decorative pieces and trophies.
In the early years of the nineteenth century W & H were truly at their peak and had opened branches and showrooms in all the major cities of the United Kingdom and then further expanded into the colonies with showrooms in Cape town, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide
After the death of Tom Keddie in May 1909, members of the committee would have met with the W & H representative probably at there showroom at 420 George Street Sydney. Together they would have sat down with the representative and their artist and drawn up the design for the Tom Keddie Shield. This would have been a very expensive tailor made trophy and as suggested by John Stanley, Mark Foy probably contributed significantly to the funds required.
The base metal of the shield is copper which was highly polished and then electroplated with a thick coating of silver. The shield is the result of many hours of work that includes embossing, (the Waratahs and decorative surrounds) hand chasing, (the centre piece) hand engraving, (the banner) vitreous or porcelain enamelling (five club pennants and the sail emblem) and all set onto a quality timber base.
This beautiful and historic trophy was crafted by Sheffield manufacturer Walker & Hall established by George Walker in 1845. By 1909, the year this trophy was made, W & H had established themselves as the United Kingdom’s leading manufacturer of quality silverware and silverplate, producing a wide range of household articles, decorative pieces and trophies.
In the early years of the nineteenth century W & H were truly at their peak and had opened branches and showrooms in all the major cities of the United Kingdom and then further expanded into the colonies with showrooms in Cape town, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide
After the death of Tom Keddie in May 1909, members of the committee would have met with the W & H representative probably at there showroom at 420 George Street Sydney. Together they would have sat down with the representative and their artist and drawn up the design for the Tom Keddie Shield. This would have been a very expensive tailor made trophy and as suggested by John Stanley, Mark Foy probably contributed significantly to the funds required.
The base metal of the shield is copper which was highly polished and then electroplated with a thick coating of silver. The shield is the result of many hours of work that includes embossing, (the Waratahs and decorative surrounds) hand chasing, (the centre piece) hand engraving, (the banner) vitreous or porcelain enamelling (five club pennants and the sail emblem) and all set onto a quality timber base.
The Stamp as pictured above: Walker & Hall used series of date letters of different style (uppercase, lowercase, gothic, Greek alphabet, etc.) contained into a lobed contour and in four shields of various shapes. The symbol and the shape of the shield tell us that the Tom Keddie Trophy was manufactured in 1909. The pennant is the trademark of Walker and Hall.
The Walker & Hall representative obviously had the wind in his sails in the early 1900s. There are quite a number of elaborate trophies made by W & H during this period residing in various sailing and boating clubs around Sydney. Most of them would have been purchased as stock items out of the W & H show- room. What makes this trophy so unique is the beautiful design aspects and sculpturing of the Waratahs thus giving the trophy both Yachting and Australiana significance.
The Walker & Hall representative obviously had the wind in his sails in the early 1900s. There are quite a number of elaborate trophies made by W & H during this period residing in various sailing and boating clubs around Sydney. Most of them would have been purchased as stock items out of the W & H show- room. What makes this trophy so unique is the beautiful design aspects and sculpturing of the Waratahs thus giving the trophy both Yachting and Australiana significance.