BOB RADFORD
11-03-1901 - 22-07-1973
Robert Radford was born in Burnie, Tasmania and had one brother, George. He married Miss Ella Bennett from Preston. Tasmania and they raised a family of seven children, three girls and four boys. They lived at Brickmakers on the North West Coast and in 1937 left to reside in Victoria.
Bob worked all of his life as a bushman, so it was of no surprise that his chosen main sport was competitive woodchopping. In the chopping arena he was a force to be reckoned with, particularly in the period of 1926 to 1932.
In 1926 he won the double: the Tasmanian Centenary Cup and the 48 inch girth World Championship, which he completed in 58 seconds. The Centenary Cup carried a first prize of one hundred pounds and trophies. He won from Jim Foster of Latrobe who later won four World titles.
He did not compete in the World Championships in 1927-1928, returned to the winning list in 1929 and for the second time won the World title for the 48-inch girth log. A newspaper of the day reported the final as "Great excitement was aroused by this classic contest. The finalists swung lustily and for some time the chances seemed very open. The winner was first to turn followed by Green, Cotton and Foster. Radford the champion of 1926, proved to be the winner, and immediately the roar of applause rent the air, the other men stopped chopping, apparently suffering from exhaustion".
In 1930 a large team of New Zealand axemen attended the carnival at Ulverstone, where Bob Radford. Now of Preston, Tasmania was to win his third World title in the period of five years and prove his ability as one of Tasmania's and the world's best axemen.
Final placing: First. R.Radford in 67 seconds
Second: L. Appo, N.S.W.
Third: G. Miley, N.S.W.
Fourth: H.E.Stone, Bulgobac, Tasmania
In 1931 at Deloraine he lost the World championship to Jim Foster of Latrobe. He continued in the sport for many years, winning many handicaps and state titles in Tasmania. Victoria and South Australia. He won the Victorian Championship at the Melbourne Show in 1930 and was narrowly defeated in the Commonwealth championship chop at the Sydney Show.
It was often recalled of the time that there was a famous challenge match when Bob Radford defeated L. Appo in the Ulverstone Town Hall for a wager of one hundred pounds.
Bob Radford is to be remembered for his great skill and ability with the axe, and his modesty and unassuming nature.
