Frank John Grose (16 November 1909 – 11 August 1952) was a New Zealand road and track cyclist who represented his country at the

1934 Events January–February * January 1 – The International Telecommunication Union, a specialist agency of the League of Nations, is established. * January 15 – The 8.0 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake, Nepal–Bihar earthquake strik ...

and

1938 British Empire Games The 1938 British Empire Games was the third British Empire Games, the event that evolved to become the Commonwealth Games. Held in Sydney, Australia from 5–12 February 1938, they were timed to coincide with Sydney's sesqui-centenary (150 ye ...

Early life and family

Born in Christchurch on 16 November 1909, Grose was the son of Theodore Aldolphus Grose and Evelyn Maria Grose (née Hill). On 7 September 1935, he married Elvira May Loose at St Luke's Anglican Church, Christchurch.

Cycling

He won the Round-the-Gorges race nine times, and was a champion over almost every distance from half a mile to 100 miles. In 1928 while in a training race with three other cyclists, they all crashed and Grose was seriously injured, breaking his pelvic bone and chipping his hip bone. While he overcame medical advice that his cycling career was ended, he was out of consideration for the 1928 Olympics. At the

1934 British Empire Games The 1934 British Empire Games were the second edition of what is now known as the Commonwealth Games, held in England, from 4–11 August 1934. The host city was London, with the main venue at Wembley Park, although the track cycling events wer ...

in London, Grose competed in the 10 mile scratch race, 1 km time trial and 1000 yard championship; finishing fourth in each event. Four years later at the

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

, he competed in the 100 km road race but was forced to withdraw because of equipment failure, and was captain of the cycling team.

Death

Grose died on 11 August 1952, and was buried at the Ruru Lawn Cemetery, Christchurch.

References

1909 births 1952 deaths Cyclists from Christchurch New Zealand male cyclists Commonwealth Games competitors for New Zealand Cyclists at the 1934 British Empire Games Cyclists at the 1938 British Empire Games Burials at Ruru Lawn Cemetery 20th-century New Zealand people {{NewZealand-cycling-bio-stub