John Aloysius Chamberlain (29 August 1884 – 1 April 1941) was an Australian sportsman who played Australian rules football, cricket and rugby union at a high level.
Family The son of Edmund Chamberlain (1827–1891),Deaths: Chamberlain, The (Adelaide) Express and Telegraph, (Wednesday, 18 November 1891), p.4. and Mary Ann Chamberlain (-1916), John Aloysius Chamberlain was born in Glanville, South Australia on 29 August 1884.
He married Vera Evelyn Ellen Sedgley (1898–1982) on 7 February 1920.Marriages: Chamberlain—Sedgley, The (Adelaide) Observer, (Saturday, 28 February 1920), p.27. They had three daughters: twins,Fine Form By Twins In Tennis Contests, The (Adelaide) News, (Thursday, 15 December 1938), p.4; W.A.A.A.F. III, The (Adelaide) News, (Monday, 1 December 1941), p.4; What is Happening in Your Home State: South Australia: The First Twin Sisters, Army News, (Thursday, 14 September 1944), p.2; Twin Sisters are Members of WAAF, The (Brisbane) Telegraph, (Saturday, 23 June 1945), p.5. Helen,To be Married on October 17, The Newcastle Sun, (Tuesday, 9 October 1945), p.11. and Joan Mary,Today's Bride, The (Adelaide) News, (Tuesday, 5 March 1946), p.5; Thompson-Chamberlain Wedding, The (Adelaide) Advertiser, (Wednesday, 6 March 1946), p.4. and their younger sister, Annette.Permanent Wave at Four!, The (Adelaide) News, (Friday, 8 December 1933), p.8; April Bride, The (Adelaide) Advertiser, (Thursday, 16 March 1950), p.10; Chapel Bride in Magnolia Satin, The (Adelaide) News, (Saturday, 15 April 1950) p.8.
Two of his brothers, Cornelius and Leonard, were also gifted sportsmen, who also played league football with Norwood and first-class cricket for South Australia.Cornelius Chamberlain at CricketArchiveLeonard Chamberlain at CricketArchive
Employment He was employed by the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company for 27 years, and for four years or so, was stationed overseas at various locations in East Asia, including Singapore, Cochin-China, and the Cocos Islands.
In late 1929, he moved to Eudunda, and took over the license of the Royal Hotel.Leaving for Eudunda: Mr. J.A. Chamberlain, Sportsman, The (Adelaide) News, (Wednesday, 25 September 1929), p.3.East Midland Licensing District, (Friday, 15 November 1929), p.3. He left Eudunda and moved to Leabrook, in Adelaide in late 1940.Heard at Eudunda, The (Adelaide) Chronicle, (Thursday 25 July 1940), p.46.
Sport Cricket Chamberlain played cricket in the summer and played one first-class match for Western Australia against New South Wales in March 1907.First-class matches played by John Chamberlain at CricketArchive
Chamberlain played for Norwood initially in 1909; but, during the year, he was relocated to Singapore through his work with the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company. While in Singapore he played rugby union and represented the Crown colony in fixtures again the Malay State.The Advertiser, "Versatile Jack Chamberlain", 24 August 1923. p. 20
While serving in Singapore, he played for the Straits Settlements cricket team, appearing in four matches against the Federated Malay States between 1910 and 1913.Other matches played by John Chamberlain at CricketArchive
Soccer He took up soccer when he moved to Perth in 1904; but gave it away in 1906 to play Australian Rules Football for Perth.
Australian Rules football After spending some time in Tasmania, Chamberlain moved to Sydney at the age of 17 and played Australian rules football for Paddington. During this time, he twice represented New South Wales at interstate football.
Although initially playing soccer on his move to Perth in 1904, he abandoned soccer in 1906 and began playing Australian Rules once more with the Perth Football Club in the West Australian Football Association.
In 1908 he signed with the Norwood Football Club in the South Australian Football League. Playing as a forward, Chamberlain kicked 30 goals to top his club's goalkicking and fall just three short of league leader John Mathison from Port Adelaide.
He participated in the 1908 Challenge Final, which Norwood lost narrowly, and represented South Australia in that year's Melbourne Carnival.The Mercury, "The South Australian Team", 13 August 1908. p.7. Due to his employment transfer to Singapore, he only played for part of the 1909 season. In 1914, while on leave,Football: Jack Chamberlain Coming Home, The (Adelaide) Mail, (Saturday, 12 July 1913), p.3. Chamberlain played again with Norwood.
Rugby Union While in Singapore he played rugby union and represented the Crown colony in fixtures against the Malay State.The Advertiser, "Versatile Jack Chamberlain", 24 August 1923. p.20
Lawn bowls In later life, Chamberlain played lawn bowls at a high level for many years with the Toorak Bowling Club (in Toorak Gardens, South Australia).Played Most Sports: Record of Mr. J.A. Chamberlain, The (Adelaide) News, (Wednesday, 17 February 1926), p.2. In 1926, he won the South Australian single bowls championship,Bowls Championship, The (Adelaide) Observer, (Saturday, 20 February 1926), p.21. and, in 1930, having moved to Eudunda, Chamberlain won the South Australian country singles bowls championship.Country Champion, The (Adelaide) News, (Wednesday, 23 April 1930), p.3; Country Bowls: J.A. Chamberlain Champion, The (Adelaide) News, (Wednesday, 23 April 1930), p.3.
Death He died (suddenly) at his home in Leabrook, South Australia on 1 April 1941.Deaths: Chamberlain, The (Adelaide) Advertiser, (Thursday, 3 April 1941), p.8; Deaths: Chamberlain, The (Adelaide) Chronicle, (Thursday, 10 April 1941), p.20.Mr. J.A. Chamberlain, The (Adelaide) Chronicle, (Thursday, 10 April 1941), p.2.
See also 1908 Melbourne Carnival List of Western Australia first-class cricketers
References