3. Spencer John Champion McLEAN

Spencer John Champion was born 28^th January 1891. This was during the time of his father, John, holding the title of the champion sculler of the world and thus probably why he inherited such an arrogant middle name. His first name is most likely named after his father's sculling investors/backers which were two brothers John and Thomas Spencer. Between 1896 and 1899 a famous photographer Joseph Check was visiting the Richmond River where the family lived and took a photograph of Spencer. This photograph was found amongst Lindley's belongings with the inscription "SJC McLean" on the back.

Spencer McLean was mentioned in the paper about Sculling in 1907 and 1909.

There is a photo (below) and written on the back is "John Spencer and our son Spencer John…both gone away to a better land -1935" (possibly written by Henrietta) which is confusing because they called their son John Spencer, "Spencer" aswell! So a lot of the photos in possession labeled "Spencer" are possibly Spencer John C but are most likely the son John Spencer.

Spencer married Kathleen Mary Ryan on July 15th 1913. It appears they may have met through sculling or possibly through Spencer looking for work and finding it on Oxley Island where Kathleen had family.

Kathleen and Spencer had 4 children, Yvonne Ursula, John Spencer, Lindley Alwyn John, and Kevin Patrick.

Multiple sources mention his occupation as Bookkeeper, Commission Agent, Accountant and more. It seems he dabbled in Accountancy but the integrity of his business is unknown and it appears he went through some tough times but was successful and prosperous enough to help provide for his family until the time of his death.

Spencer died at age 30 on 6^th December 1921. The story goes that he had a heart attack on the outhouse-style toilet in the yard and Kathleen (his wife) had to drag him all the way into the house. His Probate (Will and affidavits, etc) says they lived at 69 Princes St Bexley, which I imagine was the family home until he died. It was named "Yvonne" After his daughter, not sure of the reason. Or maybe he named his daughter after the house?! It talks about mortages and how much the house was worth and how much Kathleen had to pay off. It has a list of the furniture in the house and how much it was all worth and it also mentions he was a Bookkeeper?