QUEENSLAND'S LOSS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 124, 22 November 1932, Page 13

QUEENSLAND'S LOSS

ONE-HANDED, SPORTSMAN

Queensland, and probably 'Australia, lias produced no- more remarkable athlete than C. B. St. John, who died recently in Brisbane. Handicapped by the . loss of his right hand, severed at the wrist, he won inter-State tennis, football, and cricket honours,' and stood out as one of the greatest, if not the , greatest, all-round athlete Queensland has had. -.','.. ;.. St. John was certainly, the best tennis player ever to. represent Queensland. For many, years he dominated the game. in that State. He retired while' still at the top, about ten .years ago,, to turn professional. . . : ■ It is certain he would have'represented Australia in Davis Cup" contests had he -not been a man'of moderate' means. He was, in consequence, obliged'to watch his-business, interests; which prevented him' from making visits south, to show his prowess. Nevertheless,, helmet-all the champions in Brisbane, where he was practically invincible. One .of his greatest feats was ' his defeat of-'J. C. Parke, also an Irish international Eugby Union threequarter. .;.,'■ Parke headed the .British Davis Cup team , which ; came to tralia in 1912, and lifted the.famous trophy" after- America haoVseht out three, teams in vain. Britain Js". Da-?is Cup victory.'that year .was'due to'the tfefeat.of-N. E. Brookes by Parke, yet the last-named was- beaten by S>- John. St. , John > was • also'-a star Eugby Union fullback. He must have become an outstanding: champion dn the position":fhad .ie; hadi bothi^hands, ;: As ;it was, -he represented: against New; South Wales/:in .; 1903.and- 1904f ; peifbtming splendidly;-f or: Queensland. ''.^?%-.-r~?\.. When".,: leading;'"■.%Qnebiislsind^v^ilU i baeksvarej the ..topic, :'St. John is' always .mentioned, along with -E. H. MeCown, P. . Carmichael, E. Bolewski, ■'E!' Frauenf elder; A. -P; Callan, ; A. Dennis, C.Bedwood, and C. E. Simpson. ; Like: Simpson,- St. John' also proved •;. his -ability in the cricket arena. He was truly a freak athlete. He also. ranked high as ; a sportsman, bearing his honours with utmost modesty,; and being' ever ready to tender advice and help along; in every way. the less gifted. ■'.-'■