0ne of the most familiar figures in Bloemfontein today is that of Mr. TOM ROUGHEAD BRETHERTON, who is a native of Lancashire, where he was born in the year 1869, and is the fourth son of James Henry Bretherton, Esq., of Whiston Hall, Lancashire, and latterly of Crabwall Hall, in the county of Cheshire. Chester was the seat of his educational training, under private tutorship at King's College, and on the termination of same he commenced life by joining his brother in business as chartered accountant in Liverpool, and as such continued to practise for the succeeding three years when he joined Messrs. Higgins & Paton, Stockbrokers, of Liverpool.

Four years later, owing to a breakdown in health, he decided to go to South Africa, where he landed in the year 1896, and choosing Bloemfontein for its health giving qualities, proceeded there, and started business as an estate agent, insurance agent, and sharebroker, and today continues to carry on business as such.

As an all round sportsman, Bloemfontein can boast of few better than the subject of this sketch, for in almost every branch of manly sport we find he either takes or has ta ken a prominent part. We also learn that before South Africa claimed him, he represented his County of Cheshire in the cricket field for three consecutive years, and in 1893. when the all-conquering Australian team visited England, he was asked to play against them for the Liverpool and District XI.

In the year 1901 it was Mr. Bretherton who captained the Ramblers' Cricket Club, and in addition during the season compiled no less than 1,140, including five centuries, for his club.

As a tennis player he is well known in Bloemfontein, and in the tournament of 1903 was successful in carrying off the Gentlemen's Doubles with Lieutenant Morgan, and in the Tennis Championship of the following year played in the finals of the Mixed Doubles and Gentlemen's. Doubles. He was also a member and steward of the Bloemfontein Sporting Club from its inception until it was subsequently absorbed into the Orange River Colony Turf Club, when he ceased to be an official, although retaining his membership.

He is a member of the Ramblers' Club, of which from 1899 to 1906 he was the popular secretary. A member of the United Service Club, Bloemfontein Garrison Club, and the various local football, cricket, and tennis clubs.

Mr. Bretherton played cricket for Boughton Hall, Chester, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead Park, and throughout the Liverpool District. He acted as whip to the Cheshire Beagles and hunted with the North Cheshire Hounds.

Mr. Bretherton, who is a bachelor, resides at "The Bungalow," in First Street, Bloemfontein, and is much liked and respected by all who know him.

Note: Tom married Eveline May Schobell CLAPP on 23 April 1908 in Bloemfontein. The couple did not have any children, and Tom passed away at his residence, “The Bungalow” on 15 May 1910.

Sources:

• Men of the Times, published by The Transvaal Publishing Company, Johannesburg, Cape Town & London, printed by Eyre and Spottiswood, His Majesty’s Printers, 1906, p.532
• "South Africa, Orange Free State, Probate Records from the Master of the Supreme Court, 1832-1990", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7V8B-713Z : Tue Jul 16 00:50:24 UTC 2024), Entry for Tom Roughead Bretherton, 1910.
• "South Africa, Church of the Province of South Africa, Parish Registers, 1801-2004", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:682J-HYZV : Sat Mar 09 11:29:19 UTC 2024), Entry for Tom Roughead Bretherton and Evelina May Scobell Clapp, 23 Apr 1908.