Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John Johnston ADDISON (1881-1915)

Son of John Gollan Addison and Marion (nee Johnston) Addison, of Maysbury Mansions, Maysbury Avenue, Elsternwick, Melbourne, Australia.

Attended Prince Alfred College 1894-1897.

J.J. Addison, a professional player, who hails from Australia, came to England some time ago in the hope of obtaining employment as a coach either here or on the Continent. He succeeded in obtaining some private coaching in the Nuneaton district, but had only been at work for some three months when the war broke out. Whereupon, like a true son of the Motherland, he promptly enlisted, and is now in the Fourth Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders.

JACK ADDISON
ANSWERS THE CALL
JOTTINGS ABOUT ANOTHER HERO

John J. Addison, for several years a notable figure on Australian tennis courts, has fallen in Europe. He enlisted in the old country and was attached to the Seaforth Highlanders. Jack Addison joined the South Yarra Club as a beginner, and was takn in hand by Mr. H.M. Guthrie, to whose encouragement and advice he owed much of the the postion he attained in the tennis world. Addison first played pennant tennis at South yarra's fourth-class team, and was successfully promoted until he attained premership rank. In 1906 he was a member of the strong four (the others were N.E. Brookes, J.R. Fraser and B. Murphy, which won the premership. It is worthy of note that, unlike other players one could mention, he retained his allegiance to the one club throughout until he left Melbourne. He appeard in four interstate matches against New South Wales for Victoria from May, 1908 to November 1911. In 1911, his last year in Victoria, he was runner-up in the Australasian doubles championship, partnered by N.E. Brookes. A few week previously this pair had won the South Yarra doubles championship.

BEST YEARS

In 1911 also jack Addsion (with the New Zealander, F.M. Fisher) won the Geelong doubles championship. This was undoubtedly his best year. His other championship wins were Grace Park doubles, 1900 (with B Murphy), New South Wales mixed doubles 1909, and South Yarra mixed doubles 1910 (both with his sister, Miss Lily Addison).

IN THE WEST

In 1912 he went to West Australia, during which year he represented that State against New South Wales. In the championship which followed he had the satisfaction of defeating A.B. Jones, who had beaten him in the interstate match. This was Jack Addison's last appearance in first-class tennis as he journeyed to England some months later, but did not take part in any 'big' tennis. Addison will be remembered chiefly for his brilliant American service, which was one of the best in Australia.

A NOTED FAMILY

He belonged to the most noted tennis family in Victoria, his sisters being Misses Lily and Mary Addison, while of his brothers, L.G. Addison (at present a member of the Australian Expeditionary Forces) at one time played premiership tennis for South Yarra, and Dr. Stanley Addison represented University in "B" grade. Jack Addison was popular among all tennis enthusiasts, and his death is deeply regretted.

John Johnston Addison enlisted with the Seaforth Highlanders in England at the outbreak of the war, and for several months was initially fighting in Northern France and Belgium. He passed through the battle of Neuve Chapelle and other severe engagements unscathed. His hair had turned grey since the beginning of 1915.

In May 1915 he met an instantaneous death by the explosion of a German shell.

"Jack" Addison, was well known throughout the Commonwealth as the winner of many tennis championships, some of them in partnership with Norman Brookes (OW1884). Ill-health alone prevented him attaining to Davis Cup ranks.