"Australian players at the Ostend Tennis Tournament : (Left to right), H. A. Parker, A.F. Wilding, and B. Murphy"
“Australian players at the Ostend Tennis Tournament : (Left to right), H. A. Parker, A.F. Wilding, and B. Murphy”

New Zealand-born H. A. (Harry Alabaster) Parker was a member of the Australasian tennis team to play at Wimbledon in late 1905. A champion lawn tennis player in New Zealand, Parker competed in the tournament together with fellow New Zealander, Anthony (Tony) Wilding.

Following the matches Parker and his wife embarked for North America. They crossed the continent and boarded the RMS Miowera at Vancouver for its voyage to Sydney where they arrived on Wednesday 8 November. Within several days, on Saturday 11 November the couple, together with a number of fellow Miowera passengers embarked the Wimmera at her berth in Darling Harbour to return to Wellington.

Parker did not remain long in New Zealand for he had decided to relocate to Australia.

H. E. Parker [sic], holder of various interstate Championships.
H. E. Parker [sic], holder of various interstate Championships.
Detail from newspaper article At the lawn tennis tournament–some studies in attitudes. The town and country journal, March 27 1907, p19
Author’s Collection.

© Ralph L. Sanderson 2004-2021