1940s - The difficult war years

At the Annual General Meeting in 1940 the name of the club was changed to Longueville Tennis Club, nominated by a Longueville committee member resident and seconded by a Northwood committee member resident.

Following the 1930’s depression came World War II. Tough times became tougher. Fourteen members joined the Forces. The December 1942 minutes note “that both the subscription and entrance fee….would be accepted in three-monthly instalments owing to the uncertainty of how long the club would be able to continue.”

There was a drop in membership and drought led to water restrictions. The grass court was closed down and LTC was not able to enter Badge Teams. 

The 1945 Annual Report noted that although no competition was played in 1945, five or six ‘friendly’ matches were played against the Telegraph team from the GPO, Lane Cove Tennis Club and Lane Cove Cricket Club.

Members joining the Forces were made Honorary members, the groundsman’s wage was halved and eventually sons of members became honorary groundsmen. By 1943 only 2 courts were open for play because of the shortage of balls. Only ‘used balls’ were available, and balls were taken away to be recovered. There was even a break-in at the Club and balls were stolen. By the end of the war balls cost 26/- per dozen, whereas before the war they had cost only 12/- per dozen. 

At the AGM in 1945 Mr L. Perrin noted : We should be grateful we are in the position prophesied by our President Mr Wooster a year ago when he said we hoped “we would meet next year with hostilities over and discuss plans for the Club in peace time.” 

With the War finally coming to an end, “Cupid was very busy at LTC with 3 sets of engagements in 1945!”

E. D. Wooster (LTC President 1935-1947)

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), 7 Mar 1940

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