Alec Birrell
Australian rules footballer, born 1885
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William Alexander Hamilton Birrell (24 January 1885 – 11 May 1948) was a doctor and an Australian rules footballer who played for University in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[1]
Laen, Victoria
Heidelberg, Victoria
| Alec Birrell | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | William Alexander Hamilton Birrell | ||
| Born |
24 January 1885 Laen, Victoria | ||
| Died |
11 May 1948 (aged 63) Heidelberg, Victoria | ||
| Original team | Geelong College | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1911 | University | 1 (0) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1911. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
The oldest son of Albert Veit Birrell and Christina Matheson, Alec Birrell was born in Laen (near Donald, Victoria) and was educated at Geelong College where he was a prominent member of the school football team.[2]
He proceeded to study medicine at the University of Melbourne[3] and during his student years Birrell was promoted from the seconds to play one VFL match for University against South Melbourne in the first round of the 1911 VFL season.[4]
After graduating as a doctor in 1914, he served with the 20th Light Horse and British Royal Army Medical Corps in World War I.[5] Upon his return to Australia, Birrell practiced in Nathalia for several years.[6] Birrell was also Vice President of the Nathalia Football Club in 1923.[7]
Birrell later brought into a medical practice in Cheltenham, Victoria in 1927.[8]
In 1920, he married Mary Adela Lane[9] and they had three children together. He died in the Repatriation Hospital in Heidelberg on 11 May 1948.[10]
