Freddie Browning

Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Browning, known affectionately as Freddie, was educated at Wellington school and played for both the cricket first XI and rugby first XV. He also honed his rackets skill at Wellington and then at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he played against Cambridge in 1889. Browning also played cricket for Magdalen and in 1909 toured the United States with the MCC team and in 1914 toured Egypt with the I Zingari. He served on the committees of the Free Foresters, I Zingari, and MCC, and was chairman of Prince’s Club.

After obtaining his degree from Oxford, Browning joined a mercantile firm, eventually becoming chairman. He also served on the board of some well-known London hotels including the Savoy, Berkeley, and the New Claridges. During World War I, Browning was Aide-de-camp to Lord Roberts and later helped start the Ministry of Munitions. He also served in the Intelligence Branch, and Foreign Office. Browning was created an OBE and was similarly honoured by Belgium, Italy, and Russia.

Browning won the Amateur Doubles Rackets Championship In 1893 and 1895 with Francis Dames-Longworth and Henry Foster respectively, but he never won, or reached, the singles final. He was selected for the 1908 London Olympics rackets event but was a non-starter.