The former Sydney and NSW umpire Dick Burgess died earlier in August aged 102 years.
Dick Burgess took up umpiring in 1952 and was a popular Sydney umpire during the 1950’s and 1960’s. He stood in seven Sheffield Shield matches and also in matches against English and West Indian touring teams. At the time all Sheffield Shield umpires came from the home state.
Dick Burgess had served with the Second AIF in World War II and was probably the last surviving member of the Australian-led garrison known as The Rats of Tobruk. The garrison held the Libyan port of Tobruk against the Afrika Corps in a siege that started on 11 April 1941, and was relieved on 10 September 1941. The port continued to be held by the Allies until its surrender on 21 June 1942.
The photograph below shows Dick Burgess [left] going out to umpire with his good friend Ted Wykes in early 1965 in the SUCC re-enactment Centenary Match held at University Oval.
Hartley Anderson
SUCC Centenary 1965