Areas of Interest Guide: Arthur Cripps
This is grave number M-172. These ‘areas of interest’ are marked on the entry signs in the cemetery.
Born in 1879, the son of a Sydney doctor, Arthur Cripps became an excellent sportsman, and represented Queensland in Rugby Union in 1901. He was also a highly successful professional boxer, being the undefeated Australian middleweight champion during 1901-11. Arthur gained a reputation as a ‘clean boxer, courteous opponent, and a honourable man’. During his boxing years he worked on his farm at Nanango near the Sunshine Coast, occasionally taking time off to defend his title. He later travelled around the world and wrote a book about his experiences called Above and Below the Belt.
In 1916, at the age of 35 years, Arthur wanted to serve in WWI and enlisted as a driver in the Engineers. After the war he returned to Nanango where he was the Post Office Hotel proprietor, Chairman of the local football club, and Director of the Dairy Company (1923). However, before his daughter Violet was 21 years old he decided to move the family to Brisbane. Arthur died at the Mater Hospital in 1934 after a long illness. The following year Lord Mayor Jones unveiled an impressive stone on Arthur’s grave to honour the memory of the man he described as being, ‘a splendid athlete, a splendid character, and a most magnificent personality’.
Nearby ‘Areas of Interest’
Eleanor Bourne (first female medical student in Queensland) – Portion 8B
The Shiskoffs (Russian graves) – Portion 5C
Executed Prisoners – Portion 6B
Patrick Kenniff (hanged for murder) – Portion 6B
Gregory Brown (train disaster victim) – Portion T
Carl Oscar Fristrom (artist) – Portion 6
