RIDER INJURED.
FRACTURED COLLARBONE
A broken right collarbone, abrasions and shock were sustained by Albert Ralston, of Allanton, Otago, as the result of a. spill from his bicycle during the road race from Timaru to Chnstchurch to-day. The accident occurred before Ashburton was reached, and he was brought on by motor-car and admitted to the Public Hospital shortly after mid-day. -Ashburtion Guardian, 5/10/1929.
WITH THE WHEELMEN
CYCLING NEWS AND NOTES (excerpt)
Of the unplaced men in the final of the mile, “Alby” Ralston deserves the palm, as he would certainly have been in at the finish but owing to getting bustled at the start he had only one foot strapped in, and lost a good deal more ground than his handicap. ‘Alby’ went a very fast go in his heat to take third place, and was unfortunate to lose valuable time in the final. A. C. E. Wills was very unfortunate in the mile final also, as he had just competed in a one-mile pursuit race, and was called on to start right away in the final. As was to be expected under the circumstances, he was unplaced. -Evening Star, 19/11/1932.
Personal and Social
A social and dance was held in the Allanton Hall on Friday in recognition of the great cycling performances of the local champion, Albert N. Ralston. There was a big attendance, and every item was heartily applauded. Songs were sung by the Misses Hamilton, Matheson, and A and P. Melrose, jigs, reels, and hornpipe danced by Miss A. Keleski, and items given by Mr Hunter Bathgate and Mr Snow. After supper one of the old residents, Mr J. Walker, presented to the champion, on behalf of the residents of Allanton, a framed enlargement of himself and trophies. After Mr Walker’s complimentary remarks, Mr J. Brown spoke on behalf of the Otago Cycling Association. Speeches were also made by Mr A. Ralston (Momona) and Mr M. Moynihan. Mr Albert Ralston then thanked everyone for the honours done him that evening, and the packed hall sang “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” The floor was then cleared for dancing, extras being given by Miss R. Ralston and Messrs S. and L. Ralston, Mr Fehily carrying out the duties of M.C. in a very capable manner. -Otago Daily Times, 28/11/1933.
New Zealander’s Win.
The Mordialloc Grand Prix short-distance road race of 31% miles, recently won by Alby Ralston (Dunedin) in Australia was held over a one and a-half mile road track of 22 laps. Points were allotted every second lap, and the best aggregate to win the major prize. Every other lap special cash prizes were given for the sprint winners. Amongst the notable cyclists that competed were some of Australia’s best in D. Toseland (winner of the Centenary Cycling Derby), Jack Fitzgerald, Len Hill and H. Turtill (New Zealand), O. Nicholson, E. Milliken, “Fatty” Lamb, A. Hall and J. Walsh.
At a meeting at Sheffield, Tasmania, Ralston won the two-mile wheel race with Len Hill third. Ralston also won the one-mile event. Len Hill won the five mile scratch race. At another meeting at Westbury Hill won the wheel race and was second in the one-mile event. -Taranaki Daily News, 21/2/1935.
Australian Cyclists Arrive
The three Australian cyclists who have been engaged by the Otorohanga Sports Club to appear at the annual Easter meeting on the Island Reserve, Pat Veitch, Frankie Thomas and Alby Ralston, arrived in Hamilton yesterday and left for Otorohanga this morning. The trio landed in Auckland on Monday and cycled to Hamilton yesterday. After spending the night here they continued their ride to Otorohanga, which was undertaken as a means of training for the meeting. -Waikato Times, 21/3/1940.
With the Wheelmen (excerpt)
Thirty years afterwards the name of Ralston was again seen to be constantly among the winners in cycle races held around Dunedin. This was Alby Ralston, a nephew of Andy’s. In 1931 in the 145-mile road race Waimate to Christchurch, with but 15 miles to go Alby was in the leading bunch of 10 riders, and just when it looked like another Ralston victory he crashed and broke his collarbone. In 1933 Alby journeyed to the North Island, and among his successes were fastest time in the Mount Egmont race, in which he put up the fastest 100mile time on record in this country — 4h 17min. A week later he competed in the Hamilton to Auckland race, and again broke the record by 14min. In 1934 Ralston crossed the Tasman to compete in the Victorian Centenary races. Unsuccessful in the five-day race of 1,000 miles, he did not appear to measure up to the standard of the best Australian and Continental riders, but an unpleasant surprise was in store for his rivals in the Mordide Grand Prix, a 70-mile race, a fortnight later, when Alby not only won the £90 in cash for first prize, but also received a diamond-studded gold cup valued at £100 for his great victory. Since that date he has made his home in Melbourne and has won a lot of prize money. At present he is at his home at Allanton on holiday, and only a fortnight ago competed from scratch and won the Green Island Club’s 20-mile road race. -Evening Star, 29/6/1940.
Albert returned to Australia after his holiday at home and enlisted in the Australian Army when war came closer to the area. He was sent to Singapore and was made a prisoner when the city surrendered to Japan. He was sent to Burma to build the railway which would supply Japanese forces which were invading India. He and the other prisoners were worked to exhaustion day after day and Albert eventually died of disease. He is buried in Thanbyuzayat Cemetery.
Personal
Mrs Ralston, of Allanton, has received advice that her son, Corporal A. N. Ralston, who has been, missing since the fall of Singapore, is a prisoner of war in Burma, and is safe and well. -Evening Star, 23/12/1943.
CHAMPION CYCLIST
ANDREW RALSTON'S DEATH (abridged)
Memories of cycle racing in its heyday are recalled by the death last week-end of Mr Andrew Ralston, of Allanton, at the age of 66. He and his brothers Neil and Peter were outstanding performers who took part in many exciting races on the Caledonian Ground and in numerous road races.
A nephew, Albert, Ralston, who performed with distinction in the Warrnambool-to-Melbourne road race not so many years ago, served with the Australian forces in Burma, and is now a prisoner of war. Another nephew, Clarence Ralston, who did well in track and road racing in Otago, is serving in Italy. -Evening Star, 13/7/1944.
FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE
RALSTON. — In May, 1943 (with Australian Forces), Sgt. Albert Neil, dearly loved second youngest son of Janet and the late Alexander Ralston, Allanton; died of sickness while prisoner of war Burma. “His duty nobly done.” — Deeply mourned. -Otago Daily Times, 24/3/1945.
CYCLING
GREEN ISLAND CYCLING CLUB.
The Green Island Cycling Club held its first race over saddle Hill for the season, and some solid pedalling was done by all riders. The race was from Green Island to Allanton and return. The turning point for the race was in front of the house of the late Sergeant A. N. Ralston, who met with great success in Australia before joining the A.I.F. Placings were: W. Whiston 1, J. S. McCartney 2, J. Campbell 3, V. Bowmar 4. Fastest time, W. Whiston 51min 37see; second fastest time, V. Bowmar 54min 2sec. -Evening Star, 16/6/1947.
No comments:
Post a Comment