William Percival Cutler (29 July 1900 – 13 August 1969)Note that his VFL records have his birthdate as 28 July 1900, while his Second AIF service record shows that his birthday was on 29 July (he had taken 5 years off his age, stating that he was born in 1905; however, by the time of his medical discharge in January 1943, he was admitting that his age was 42), and, also, that he died at the Repatriation General Hospital, Heidelberg on 13 August 1969. was an Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).Holmesby & Main (2009), p.193.Cutler at Wonthaggi, The Sporting Globe, (Saturday, 24 September 1932), p.6.
Family The son of George Phillip Cutler, and Julia Cutler, née Baker, William Percival Cutler was born at Bowenvale (near Timor), Victoria on 29 July 1900.
He married Cecelia Maria Drummy (1900–1969) in 1923.
He died at the Repatriation General Hospital, Heidelberg on 13 August 1969.
Football Melbourne Recruited from Ballarat, he played his first match (at the age of 29) for Melbourne against South Melbourne on 3 May 1930 in round one of the 1930 VFL season.The Teams, The Age, (Friday, 2 May 1930), p.6; Club Chatter: Melbourne Optimistic, The Age, (Friday, 2 May 1930), p.6.
He played in the first fifteen matches of the 1930 season. On 23 August 1930, in the round fifteen match against Carlton,Carlton Remember!, The (Melbourne) Herald, (Friday, 22 August 1939), p.13. he was reported for three separate offences.Players Reported, The Age, (Monday, 25 August 1930), p.6. He was found guilty of two of the three charges, and was suspended for a total of 12 matches:Cutler, 12 Weeks; Kelleher, 8 Weeks, The Age, (Friday, 29 August 1930), p.5; League Tribunal, The Argus, (Friday, 29 August 1930), p.11. Striking Dinny Kelleher. The charge was sustained and Cutler was suspended for eight matches. (Kelleher was also reported for striking Cutler, and was also suspended for eight matches.) Attempting to strike Alex Duncan. The charge was sustained and Cutler was suspended for four matches. Attempting to strike Fred Gilby. The charge against Cutler was not sustained.
Former champion ruckman Jumbo Sharland's review of Melbourne's 1930 season had this to say of Cutler:Sharland, W.S., "Melbourne's Ruck Play Requires Strengthening This Season", The Sporting Globe, (Saturday, 28 February 1931), p.6.
He played another seven senior matches for Melbourne in 1931, once he was free from his suspension.
Carlton Although he was cleared from Melbourne to Carlton in 1932,Football, The Argus, (Thursday, 7 April 1932), p.12. he never played for Carlton.
Military service He enlisted in the Second AIF in October 1939, and was discharged from the army (on medical grounds) in January 1943.
Notes
References
World War Two Service Record: Private William Percival Cutler (VX3307). World War Two Nominal Roll: Private William Percival Cutler (VX3307).
External links
Bill Cutler, Demonwiki.