Frederick Wilding

Wilding was born in Montgomery, Wales in 1852. His father, John Powell Wilding (1812–1872), was a surgeon. His mother was Harriet (née Farmer). He was educated at Hereford Cathedral School in Hereford and at Shrewsbury School in Shrewsbury, England. He gained admission as a solicitor in 1874.[1]

Wilding was prominent as an athlete in the west of England. In June 1879, he married Julia Wilding (née Anthony), the daughter of a mayor of Hereford. In the same year, they emigrated from Herefordshire to New Zealand.[1]

Wilding became a well-to-do lawyer in Christchurch, New Zealand, and was appointed a King's Counsel in 1913.[1] Their house, "Fownhope" in St Martins, Christchurch, had two tennis courts, an asphalt winter court and a summer grass court. He founded Wilding Park, which is today the largest tennis centre in Canterbury.[1] He won the New Zealand Championships doubles title five times between 1887 and 1894 with his partner Richard Harman.[2]

Their son Tony Wilding, was a world champion tennis player, and played cricket for Canterbury, but was killed in action during the First World War. Their daughter Cora Wilding was an artist and outdoor enthusiast, and founded the Youth Hostel Association of New Zealand in 1932.

He died, aged 92, in Christchurch on 5 July 1945,[3] and was buried at Bromley Cemetery.[4][5][6][7][8]