Tony Wilding was born in New Zealand in 1883. An outstanding tennis player he was Wimbledon's singles champion four years running (1910, 1911, 1912, 1913). He also won the doubles final four times. In June, 1914, Wilding lost the men's singles final to Norman Brookes.

On the outbreak of the First World War Wilding joined the Royal Naval Air Service.

Tony Wilding was killed during an attack on enemy sniper posts at Neuve Chapelle on 9th May, 1915.