Gerald Leighton Patterson

Gerald Patterson was born in Preston on 17 December 1895. His father was a local auctioneer and his mother related to Dame Melba. From an early age Patterson demonstrated some skill at tennis, coming to national prominence in 1914 when he won the Australian doubles title and runner up in the singles. He was to be Australia’s doubles champion in 1914, 1922, 1925, 1926 and 1927 as well as the singles champion in 1927 but undoubtedly his greatest successes was his Wimbledon singles titles in 1919 and 1922 as well as his doubles title in 1922.

Patterson also played tennis for the MCC in 1919, 1920, 1922, 1924, 1925, 1928, and captained the side (non playing) in 1946. Patterson was one of Australia’s first power players, using his strength to crush his opponents. After finishing his tennis career he became chairman of several companies as well as inheriting a substantial amount of money from Dame Melba. Patterson died in 1967.

Australian Dictionary of Biography, 1851 – 1890. (1981). Carlton, Vic: Melbourne University Press.