Goofy Lawrence

[Googly]

Godfrey Bernard Lawrence, OG 1949 Obituary

We were saddened to learn of the death of Godfrey Lawrence in Brisbane on Wednesday 12 March.

Born on 31 March 1932, ‘Goofy’, as he came to be known in his later school years, given his great height, was probably the oldest Old Georgian still alive. He was also one the most loyal, as well as one of the most famous OGs, given his sporting achievements.

Such was his enduring reputation at the College that, for many years, an elongated island in the school driveway was known as ‘Goofy’s Grave’, and, although it is more commonly referred to nowadays as “Long Island’, an earnest young pupil inquired quite recently as to whether there really was someone buried there!

Goofy entered St. George’s in January 1943, having been at Chaplin Junior, and, by his own admission, he was no academic, but then, apparently, his earlier childhood had been somewhat disrupted. However, it was on the sporting front at the College that he really made his mark. As a backstroke swimmer, he broke the U12 record, and by 1946 had become a member of the school team, later earning his first set of Colours. Then, as he grew, his potential as a lock forward became apparent, and he played 1st XV Rugby in 1948 and 1949, again earning Colours. The 1949 team remains the only unbeaten 1st XV side in the history of St. George’s!

But, it was a cricketer that Goofy became best known. Legend has it that it was Fr. Gerald Landreth SJ – a teacher at the College from 1938 to 1954, and 1st XI coach from 1949 to 1953, who spotted the fast bowling potential of the gangling youth and nurtured it assiduously. Certainly, a great affinity must have developed between them, because it was he who brought Goofy into the Catholic Church whilst at school, and, in an email to the then Alumni Officer in 2019, Goofy described Fr. Landreth as having been his spiritual adviser, mentor, Cricket Coach. In later years he even named his second son David LANDRETH Lawrence.

In an online interview recorded with Goofy in 2021, as part of a video to commemorate the College’s 125th Anniversary, Goofy, then in his 90th year, commented proudly, “I went to St. George’s College which was probably one of the best things to happen in my life.”

After leaving school, he joined the civil service, while still maintaining hi strong links with St. George’s. As a key member of the Old Georgian’s cricket side, when not on provincial or national cricketing duty, he was often to be seen thundering up to the bowling crease on Madden Field over weekends where the team played until the Old Georgians Sports Club fields were developed in the late 1950s.

It seems especially fitting, therefore, that there is a framed photo of him in the Cricket Pavilion, wearing his Springbok cap, together with the following write-up: -

"Over a span of 13 years, a genial giant of 6ft. 6in. made a profound impact on, and a great contribution to Rhodesian Cricket! The man was Godfrey Bernard Lawrence, known to all as “Goofy”, who had a heart that matched his massive frame. Teaming up with Joe Partridge they together produced one of the finest opening attacks in the history of the Currie Cup Competition."

"He represented Rhodesia from 1952-1965. The high point of his career was his inclusion in the Springbok Team which shared a five Test series against John Reid’s New Zealanders in 1961-1962. In this series he produced two startling performances with figures of 30.0 overs, 12 maidens, 53 runs, 8 wickets in the second Test, and in the fourth Test, he captured 5 for 62 off 16.1 overs, and in the second innings, 4 for 57 off 22.2overs. He finished the series gathering a new South African record for a fast bowler with a tally of 28 wickets."

"He is the only Old Georgian to have played cricket for South Africa. Lawrence represented Rhodesia on 66 occasions; took 296 wickets at an average of 17.9; scored 908 runs, with a highest score of 60, averaging 12.61, and took 44 catches. He topped the national bowling averages in 1956, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1964, and 1965, more times than any other bowler in the country. He was also Sportsman of the Year in 1962, and South African Cricketer of the Year in 1960."

David Lewis, one of the country’s most successful Cricket Captains, is quoted as saying of “Goofy”:

“He was one who bowled for long hours with great persistence and accuracy. He would be happy to bowl at any time on any day, be it Durban in the rain, or Bloemfontein in the sun, where it was sometimes 110 degrees (43°C) in the shade. He had a huge heart and no words are too much praise for him.”

In 1967 Goofy moved to Kwa-Zulu Natal, with his wife Jennifer and young family, before migrating some years later to Brisbane in Australia. There, apparently, he kept up his sporting activities, particularly on the tennis court, and there is even a report of him playing the odd winter league cricket match in the early 1980s, and still bowling with skill and guile.

In his 1919 email to the Alumni office, Goofy informed us that he and Jennifer had five children – Paul, David, Stephen, Michael and Jules, as well as 8 grandchildren – an email that ended with the proud remark, “Grateful for blessed offspring!”

We offer our very sincere condolences to them all.

May his Soul rest in peace.

Sources:
College Archives

[Googly]

I wonder if he'll get a mention on Zimbabwe Cricket?
He and Joe Partridge were an incredible opening pair.
Zimbabweans ignore the fantastic cricketing heritage left behind.

[Googly]

If the pink Rhodesians had been keener on baseball we'd be on the ZBF.
Actually we did have a few guys keen on baseball and softball. There's an old ground next to Old Hararians.
It was for guys shit at cricket

[Googly]

Valuable land as well. I'm surprised someone hasn't stolen it.

[Andy31]

Interesting read. What a career.

Talented genes. Just read his son also played afl

[Googly]

Thank God, one person interested in a legend.

[jw2]

I wonder if he'll get a mention on Zimbabwe Cricket?
He and Joe Partridge were an incredible opening pair.
Zimbabweans ignore the fantastic cricketing heritage left behind.

I'm not sure there will be anybody in ZC officialdom who has ever heard of him. There were many who had not heard of Mike Procter.