Wimbledon’s first-ever winner has been recognised with a blue plaque on the site of the former hotel where he died, days after his grave was restored.
Spencer Gore became the first champion at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in 1877 and is credited with inventing the volley shot.
But since his death, at what was the Granville Hotel in Ramsgate in 1906, his story has often been forgotten with the modern glitz and glamour of tennis.
However, in papers lodged to Thanet District Council, The Ramsgate Society has said it would like to honour Gore with a blue plaque – one of more than 400 on homes across the county.
Despite not yet having permission, a ceremony took place last week to unveil the sign – as well as celebrate the restoration of his final resting place.
The plight of Gore’s neglected grave in Ramsgate Cemetery was first raised by town councillor Barbara Young, but fundraising efforts have successfully seen it restored to its former glory.
Gore was born into aristocracy and raised within a mile of the-then All England Croquet Club in Wimbledon.
He excelled at many sports, making his first-class cricket debut for Surrey against Middlesex in 1874.
In 1877, the first Wimbledon lawn tennis championship was held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, which had been renamed when tennis was added two years earlier.
He was among the 22 men who paid a guinea to enter the inaugural 1877 championship (women did not have a competition until 1884) and won the final in three straight sets. He collected the first prize of 12 guineas and a silver cup, presented by The Field sporting magazine.
As the reigning champion, Gore did not have to play through the tournament in the following year’s championships but instead played in the challenge round against the winner of the all-comers tournament.
He lost the gentleman’s singles challenge match to Frank Hadow and did not compete in the Wimbledon Championships again.
Gore married Amy Smith in 1875, with who he had four children – Kathleen, Florence, George and Spencer. The last became well-known as the artist Spencer Gore, while George was a boxing champion and played cricket for Durham.
In his working life, Gore joined Pickering and Smith, the property advisory firm of his father-in-law Edmund Smith who became president of the Surveyors’ Institute. Gore was promoted to partnership and the firm was renamed Smiths and Gore.
He died of natural causes in the hotel in 1906, and was buried in Ramsgate cemetery – where his grave fell into serious disrepair.
