And the rituals of a Saturday afternoon
Bid him a reluctant farewell
For he knows beyond the sport lies the spiritual
- ‘God’s Footballer’, lyrics Billy Bragg
It’s a truism of Australian Rules that anyone can play the game - from lawyer to lackey, psychologist to garbologist, and, in the case of Carlton’s William Westwood, God’s footballer.
The story of William’s vocational calling has surfaced thanks to the interest of his grandson Ray Westwood, closely associated with the North Hobart Football Club, now living in Bonnet Hill Tasmania. Ray sought further information from Carlton in respect of his grandfather’s on-field career of almost 130 years past.
Regrettably, with the passing of time, little is known of William’s playing days - other than the fact that he turned out for Carlton in the association days of 1883 when the team finished third behind South Melbourne and the top-placed Geelong, and Jack Baker was declared Champion of the Colony.
But Ray, whose father Percy Westwood was for a time employed as a journalist with The Age newspaper in Melbourne, was able to impart some precious information.
“Dad said that his father, William Westwood, played at full-back for Carlton and was vice-captain, although I don’t know how accurate that might have been,” Ray said.
“William must have been brought up at 8 Owen Street, Carlton, as the Melbourne City Council rate rolls state that is where his father, John Alfred Westwood, lived at that time. 8 Owen Street later became a service station site and is now a big block of units.
“John was actually father to 13 children (including William) by his first wife Elizabeth (married in 1852 in Weathersfield, Essex, England) who died in 1881, and seven by his second wife Mary Sophia (married in Fitzroy in 1883). The marriage certificate showed John’s occupation as ‘tailor’. This second marriage apparently took place in the same year as William is recorded as playing for Carlton.”
Ray added that William attended the nearby Melbourne University “and obtained what I believe was an arts degree”. “He then became a missionary in China as stated in the following entry, and later ran a ministry from his home in Windsor, Brisbane called ‘Cathay’,” Ray said. “I was born in Brisbane in 1935 and remember going there as a very small boy before he died in 1944.”
Ray kindly forwarded the following obituary, published by the China Inland Mission on July 1 the following year , which had been in the safe keep of his (Ray’s) sister ever since.
William Westwood was one of our veteran missionaries, having been accepted for service in China, and sailed for that land, in 1892. Converted to God five years previously, he rejoiced to be able to say, “I’ve given up all for Jesus, and am walking in newness of life”.
Except for two furlough periods, some 29 years were spent on the field, almost exclusively in the province of Anhwei, where he laboured assiduously in unwearying service for the Lord. In 1895 he married Miss H. Marchbank*, who then co-operated with him in the much-loved work.
Returning finally to the homeland in 1922, Mr Westwood laboured for a time in various centres, and was eventually appointed as the Mission’s representative in Queensland, taking up his residence with Mrs Westwood in Brisbane. Together they laboured faithfully and unsparingly in the centre and district until, in 1936, Mrs Westwood was suddenly called home, leaving our brother to carry on alone. This he did bravely, even when increasing age made the going harder, continuing in harness right up to the end.
His last years of service were marked with increasing blessing to the many with whom he came into contact or who sought his counsel or his help by prayer. He exercised a spiritual ministry and influence which was far beyond the ordinary, whether with young or old, ministerial or lay, and it was remarkable to note how greatly beloved he was by all who knew him.
The end came with two or three weeks of absolute weariness, not unmixed with suffering, and on 1st May, he passed quietly into the presence of the King whom he had loved and served so faithfully and joyously.
We extend to the family our sincerest sympathy in their great loss, whilst thanking God for the long and blessed service rendered by our brother in the Mission and for China, as well as in the large constituency at home.
Ray advised that the accompanying photograph of William Westwood was captured in his later years at the family home, “Cathay”, in Brisbane.
“As you can see, he was a big man, well suited to the full-back position in those early days I would think. As William did not leave for China until 1892 it may be possible that he played for Carlton for more than the one season in 1883 and as my Dad said, he was Vice-captain at Carlton.
“William is buried at Lutwyche cemetery in Brisbane with his wife Hilda. The cemetery is close to his former home.”
· Footnote: the Westwood family has unearthed a birth certificate for Katie Hilda Marchbank, born in Kennington, London on March 29, 1871. According to Ray, Katie attended university in Dublin then set sail for China to serve as a missionary. As she married William in 1895 it is probable that the wedding ceremony was conducted in that country.
There is no indication that Katie Marchbank was related to the Carlton Football Club’s Marchbank brothers James and William.
