Wingfield, Walter Clopton |
| INVENTOR, ARMY OFFICER (WALES) |
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BORN 16 Oct 1833, Ruabon, Denbighshire - DIED 18 Apr 1912, London: 33 St Georges Square GRAVE LOCATION London: Kensal Green Cemetery, Harrow Road, Kensal Green (098/PS (42115)) |
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Major Walter Clopton Wingfield was a pioneer of lawn tennis. He was the son of Clopton Lewis Wingfield who was a major in the 66 Foot Regiment of the British Army. His mother Jane Eliza, born Mitchell, died in 1836 and in 1846 his father died as well. In 1851 he entered the Royal Military College in Sandhurst. He served in India and saw action in China in 1860. In 1861 he returned to England. He had married Alice Lydia Cleveland, a general's daughter, in Bangalore in 1858. Their three sons all died young. In 1867 he moved from his family estate to London. In the late 1860s he experimented with a lawn version of tennis. He patented a 'New and Improved Court for Playing the Ancient Game of Tennis' and started marketing his game in 1874. Later he became vice-president of The Universal Cookery and Food Association. Around 1890 he founded a culinary society and he also experimented with bicycles. In 1902 he became a member of the Royal Victoria Order for hid services to the Royal family. He died in London in 1912. His wife died in the Wandsworth asylum in November 1934. She was buried in his grave in Kensal Green Cemetery. |
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 The grave of Walter Clopton Wingfield at Kensal Green Cemetery, Kensal Green, London. Picture by Androom (18 Apr 2024) |
