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Cedric Pike Memorial Stand, Chatswood Oval, Chatswood NSW

The Cedric Pike Memorial Stand at Chatswood Oval was built in 1962 in memory of Gordon Rugby Club's first president, NX48427 - Pte. Cedric Cathcart (Sid) PIKE, who died as a POW in Thailand in 1943.

As a rugby player, and member of Roseville Rugby Club's committee, he led a delegation to the NSW Rugby Union in 1935 seeking establishment of a new first grade district club for the North Shore. The Gordon Rugby Union Football Club was granted district status the following year and Pike was elected president at the club's inaugural meeting. After one hour as president, he resigned and became secretary, where he felt he could be of greater benefit.

Cedric Pike was the son of Mr Frederick and Mrs Emilv Pike, of 105 Archer Street, Chatswood. Born in 1909, he was the youngest of three boys and two girls, and was educated at Sydney Church of England Grammar School. Cedric became a clerk in the Perpetual Trustee Company and then a representative of Commonwealth Oil Refineries.

In a written history of the Gordon Rugby Club: "Alan Stark recalled Cedric as a capable cricketer with Gordon, playing as a pace bowler, mainly in second grade and playing later with Wanderers in the City and Suburban competition. Gregarious and whimsical, but forceful of personality and tireless in the cause of Rugby, Cedric Pike faced the facts of football life as a teenager that he was destined never to represent Australia. Recognising his lack of football skills from this early age, he channelled his energies into administration of the game and refereeing."

Cedric was later appointed by the NSW Rugby Union as liaison officer for the Australian tours of the Springboks in 1937, and the All Blacks in 1938. In 1938 he was made a life member of the Gordon Rugby Club, with badge No. 1.

Chatswood Oval is bounded by Albert Avenue, Orchard Road and Chapman Avenue, in Chatswood, NSW.

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(Source: The Highlanders: the first 50 years of the Gordon Rugby Football Club, by Phil Wilkins,1986 - ISBN 0949256064)

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Last updated 29/08/2022