In Memoriam

THE BREWERY BOYS CLUB

The Brewery Boys Club came into being through a challenge, during the Currie Cup Tournament in Bloemfontein, O.F.S. in 1939. The local officials challenged visiting officials to participate in a relay race, the challenge was accepted, and the visiting officials turned out in red jerseys, borrowed from the local branch of the SA Breweries Ltd.

Needless to say the absorption of water by the jerseys equalled the capacity of absorption by the wearers, and they were unsuccessful in their attempt to win the relay event, but, this little comedy event gave birth to the Club, and from the jerseys came the name.

At first these few officials used to "fine" anybody for any undignified infringement and at the eventide all repaired to pleasant surroundings and slaked their thirst at the expense of the "wrong doers".

Thereafter the Brewery Boys Club really became an established organisation, in order to raise funds for charity, and its first major effort was at the Cape Town Currie Cup Tournament in 1940, to raise funds for World War II, and carried on with its War Funds effort until 1942, when all S.A. swimming ceased until 1946, at the conclusion of hostilities.

Immediately on the resumption of S.A. swimming the Brewery Boys' Club changed its name to the "Goodwill Club" and co-opted the President of the S.A. Swimming Union on to its executive committee, for the purpose of raising funds to create a Swimmers' Memorial, in memory of those swimmers and officials who gave their lives in the cause of peace and freedom in the 1939/45 World War II.

Mr Aubrey Nunn, ex South African Champion swimmer and record holder, was also elected to the "Goodwill Club" executive, and in his capacity as an Architect, de­signed the magnificent portable memorial, «nd Mr Jack Glendenning, the Brewery Boys' Club President, brought out from overseas four silver cups, which were allocated to four S.A. Championships as Memorial Trophies.

The Memorial itself comprised of a beautifully worked Banner in bottle green with gold braid, and the South African Coat of Arms worked thereon in coloured silks. This was hung on a specially designed upright and crosspiece which fitted into a hand carved wooden base, on to which was incorporated a series of bronze plaques with die names inlaid in white enamel.

The Memorial Banner and Cups were presented to the S.A. Swimming Union at a special unveiling ceremony in Salisbury, 1948, where the S.A. Championship and Currie Cup Water Polo Tournament were being held.

The Governor of Southern Rhodesia performed the unveiling ceremony, in the presence of the Military Chiefs of Staff of South Africa and Rhodesia and attendant high ranking officers, together with the Mayor of Salisbury. Dignitaries of the Church representing several denominations, officials and competitors attending the tournament and Government and Municipal representatives. A very moving and memorable occasion that will live long in the memory of all those privileges to attend, and a worthy tribute to our fallen comrades.

The Club then reverted to its former name and has remained very active, officiating at every tournament and has been instrumental in raising considerable sums for Olympic and Commonwealth Games Funds, to ensure of our swimmers being well represented in the South African contingents to the various Games; and will continue to do so in the future.

At a ceremony in Johannesburg in 1950, at the well renowned headquarters of the S.A. Breweries Ltd., Mr Mackenzie presented our President with a Presidential Chain and Insignia and when he is in attendance at Currie Cup Tournaments, and wears this chain of office, it means the Brewery Boys are on the watch for members, officials, swimmers and public notabilities, who may transgress, according to the traditional laws laid down, resulting in their being fined for their misdeeds or, in some instances, their splendid deeds. These fines together with blanket collections establish the yearly fund drives, which are named at the tournament.

Members comprise Brewery Boys and Brewery Maids and their insignia of membership is the Castle Brewery bottle opener in the case of men and a miniature opener in the form of a brooch for the women, and in addition, a special tie of maroon colour on which is a design of several small openers in silver.

The members of the Goodwill Club executive were Messrs Jack Glendinning (President), Alex R. Bulley (Hon. Secretary), Abbie R. Taylor, John Cohen, the late Aubrey V. Nunn, Charles E. Harris, the late Rufe Smith and the late Harry C. Varley.