Tennisist Bray from Russia

[julkes]

We are trying to find out anything but particularly the death date of the first Russian Tennis champion - George Wassilievich Bray.

He was born July 4, 1880 and in the early 20-s of the 20 century he moved to England. It is known that in the 1930-40s he lived at 22, Nevern Mansions, Warwick Rd. S.W. 5, London - most probably rented accomodation as he is not mentioned in any lists.

He is believed to have died after the war in England but we cannot find anything else.
Would be very grateful for any leads.

[jorose]

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/
shows (if you search for 22 Nevern Mansions), naturalisations for George Walter Bray of that address in 1927 and four children.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/ also turns the same record up (minus the address). The file is currently closed (probably as some of the children may still be living).

(PM sent with some other info)

Jorose

[seamike]

George Wassilievich Bray, 1913-1917 Vice-President, Director of Russian-English Bank (St. Petersburg), treasurer of Krestovskiy Lawn-tennis club (St. Petersburg)

He won:

Singles:
1902-1909 - Championship of Moscow
1904-1906 - Championship of St. Petersburg
1907 - First Russian Championship
1908 - Championship of St. Petersburg
1909 - Russian Championship

Doubles:
1901, 1907 - Championship of Moscow, with A. Petrokokino
1904 - Championship of St. Petersburg, with A. Petrokokino
1906 -  Championship of St. Petersburg, with G. Bears,
1906, 1907 - Championship of St. Petersburg, with A. Petrokokino
1908, 1909 - Championship of Moscow, with his brother V. Bray
1908-1911 - Championship of St. Petersburg, V. Bray,
1914 - Championship of Moscow, with Robert A. Macpherson

[seamike]

In 1912 he was a cashier at Russian and English Bank (St. Petersburg)
The last signature on the bearer share

[julkes]

Hi, Mike

thanks for the info.
We are searching on behalf of a person from Moscow.
It is extremely interesting but after Bray (de Bray?) moved to England there is not much information...

[seamike]

Another Russian tennis player with English roots is Robert A. Macpherson, with whom George Bray won 1914 Moscow doubles.

Son of Arthur Macpherson whose ancestors came to Russia in early XIX century. Arthur Macpherson (1870-1919) was himself the first Chairman of All-Russian Union of lawn-tennis clubs 1903-1917), Football Union (1912-1913) and member of Russian Olympic Committee (1911-1913).
When World War I started, Robert Macpherson and his elder brother Arthur joined British Army (they were British subjects) in 1915.

In May 1916 Robert Macpherson as a Second Lieutenant, 8th Cameron Highlanders was in the Staff of Lord Kitchener during his visit to Russia on board of H.M.S. Hampshire. On June 6, 1916 H.M.S. Hampshire was sunk to the West of Orkneys. Nobody survived. Robert Macpherson was 19.

Sorry for very poor quality of the photo.

[julkes]

Hello everybody!
Glad to inform that the tennisist is buried in the West Norwood Cemetery in London.

[newmark401]

Hello,

I am looking for some results from the early Russian lawn tennis tournaments, namely the Russian Championships, the Championships of Moscow and the Championships of Saint Petersburg.

I am looking in particular for the men's singles, women's singles and mixed doubles final results from these tournaments, from their beginning up until the First World War.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Mark

[seamike]

Hello Mark,

Just send two more posts, even 1 or 2 words, so you can send and receive PMs.
I have this information that you need
Cheers
Mike