Charlie Perry (Australian rules footballer)
Encyclopedia
Charles 'Charlie' Julius Perry was an Australian rules football
er who played with Norwood
in the SAFL
.
Perry, commonly known as 'Redwing' due to his red hair, appeared in 58 games for Norwood and would have played more had World War I
not interrupted his career. A Methodist minister, Perry finished equal first in a three way tie for the 1915 Magarey Medal
count before having to settle for second after the umpires conferred to split the leaders as per the rules at the time. He was however posthumously awarded a retrospective Medal in 1998.
He served in Europe as a chaplain
during World War One and was involved in the AIF exhibition match which was played in London in 1916, captaining the Combined Training Units team.
On 24 January 1919, Lieutenant-Colonel H.D.K. Macartney, the Officer Commanding of the 3rd Australian Divisional Artillery recommended that Perry be awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire:
was ever awarded to Perry as Macartney had recommended.
After the war he returned to Norwood but only played briefly before retiring in 1920. He continues as a Reverend, chaplain and was also vice-chairman of the Norwood Football Club. His brother, Frank Perry was a South Australian industrialist and member of parliament.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played with Norwood
Norwood Football Club
Norwood Football Club, nicknamed, Redlegs, is an Australian rules football club belonging to the South Australian National Football League in the state of South Australia...
in the SAFL
South Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
.
Perry, commonly known as 'Redwing' due to his red hair, appeared in 58 games for Norwood and would have played more had World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
not interrupted his career. A Methodist minister, Perry finished equal first in a three way tie for the 1915 Magarey Medal
Magarey Medal
For the biography award of the same name, see Magarey Medal for biography. For a list of winners, see List of Magarey Medallists.The Magarey Medal is an Australian rules football honour awarded annually since 1898 to the fairest and most brilliant player in the South Australian National Football...
count before having to settle for second after the umpires conferred to split the leaders as per the rules at the time. He was however posthumously awarded a retrospective Medal in 1998.
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
during World War One and was involved in the AIF exhibition match which was played in London in 1916, captaining the Combined Training Units team.
On 24 January 1919, Lieutenant-Colonel H.D.K. Macartney, the Officer Commanding of the 3rd Australian Divisional Artillery recommended that Perry be awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire:
"During the period Sept.17th to Decr.31st 1918, Chaplain-Major PERRY has been Chaplain to the 8th Aust.F.A.Brigade [viz., Australian Field Artillery Brigade]. His duties have always been carried out in a thoroughly cheerful and tactful manner, and throughout the rapid advance, leading up to the cessation of hostilities, his gallant bearing and unselfish devotion to duty, generally under adverse conditions, have materially assisted the administration of this Unit. He has been a splendid example to both Officers and men. [Signed] H.D.K. Macartney, Lieut-Colonel. Commander, 3rd. Aust. Div. Artillery.".There is no indication within the records at the Australian War Memorial as to whether the Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
was ever awarded to Perry as Macartney had recommended.
After the war he returned to Norwood but only played briefly before retiring in 1920. He continues as a Reverend, chaplain and was also vice-chairman of the Norwood Football Club. His brother, Frank Perry was a South Australian industrialist and member of parliament.