Ralph Lancaster

Ralph Charles Lancaster (25 November 1907 – 28 August 1942) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Geelong in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Family
The son of Thomas Stanley Lancaster (1878-1960), the Town Clerk of Newtown and Chilwell, and Maud Amelia Lancaster (1878-1938), née Cory, Ralph Charles Lancaster was born in Numurkah on 25 November 1907.

He married Jean Loveniah McCurdy (1912-1968), later Mrs Arnold Start Henderson, in 1938.

Football
Lancaster was recruited locally, from Geelong College.

A rover, he kicked 20 goals in his debut season, and the following year was 19th. man in Geelong's 1930 VFL Grand Final loss to Collingwood.

Military service
During World War II, Lancaster served in New Guinea as a Gunner with the 9th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, of the Royal Australian Artillery.

Death
He died of wounds sustained whilst on active service in New Guinea on 28 August 1942.

He is buried at the Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery.