Into Touch: Rugby Internationals Killed in the Great War

Dedicated to my extraordinary children without whom there would be no point

Luke, Emily and Rebecca

With all my love

First published in Great Britain in 2014 by

Pen & Sword Military

An imprint of

Pen & Sword Books Ltd

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Copyright © Nigel McCrery 2014

ISBN 978 1 78159 087 4

eISBN 9781473831797

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Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Australia

1660 Private Harold Wesley George, 10-5-15

Captain Bryan Desmond Hughes MC, 6-8-18

448 Private Herbert (or Hubert) A. Jones, 4-11-16

321 Sergeant Edward Rennix Larkin, 25-4-15

Major Blair Inskip Swannell, 25-4-15

29167 Gunner William George (Twit) Tasker, 9-8-18

1624 Private Frederick H. Thompson, 29-5-15

Captain Cuthbert Arthur (Jack) Verge, 8-9-15

Captain Clarence (Clarrie Doss) Wallach MC, 22-4-18

British Isles

Captain Quartermaster Charles Young Adamson, 17-9-18

28164 Corporal Sidney Nelson Crowther, 18-10-14

England

Second Lieutenant Harry Alexander, 17-10-15

5711 Corporal Henry Berry, 9-5-15

Major Henry Brougham, 18-2-23

Captain Arthur James (Mud) Dingle, 22-8-15

Lieutenant Colonel George Eric Burroughs Dobbs, 17-6-17

M2/194121 Officer Cadet Leonard Haigh, 6-8-16

Captain Reginald Harry Myburgh Hands, 20-4-18

Lieutenant Commander Arthur Leyland Harrison VC, 23-4-18

Captain Harold Augustus Hodges, 24-3-18

The Reverend Rupert Edward Inglis, 18-9-16

Lieutenant Percy Dale (Toggie) Kendall, 25-1-15

357176 Lance Corporal John Abbott King, 9-8-16

Captain Ronald Owen Lagden, 3-3-15

Second Lieutenant Douglas (Danny) Lambert, 13-10-15

Lieutenant Alfred Frederick Maynard, 13-11-16

Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Roberts Mobbs DSO, 31-7-17

1745 Sergeant William (Billy) Moore Bell Nanson, 4-6-15

Lieutenant Francis Eckley Oakeley, 1-12-14

Lieutenant Ronald William Poulton-Palmer, 5-5-15

Captain Robert Lawrence Pillman, 9-7-16

Lieutenant John Edward Raphael, 11-6-17

Major Reginald (Reggie) Oscar Schwarz MC, 18-11-18

Second Lieutenant Lancelot Andrew Noel Slocock, 9-8-16

Lieutenant Francis Tarr, 18-7-15

Lieutenant Alexander Findlater Todd, 21-4-15

Surgeon James Henry-Digby (Bungy) Watson, 15-10-14

8074 Private Arthur Wilson, 1-7-17

Captain Charles Edward Wilson Légion d’Honneur, 17-9-14

France

Lieutenant Rene Emile Henri Boudreaux, 8-9-15

Private Second Class Marie Jean-Baptiste Joseph Anduran, 2-10-14

Lieutenant Maurice Jean-Paul Boyau, 16-9-18

Lieutenant Jean Jacques Conilh De Beyssac, 13-6-18

Lieutenant Marcel Henry Burgun CdG, 2-9-16

Corporal Paul Henri Descamps, 27-6-15

Lieutenant Julien Dufau, 28-12-16

Private Paul Dupré, 31-3-16

Sous Lieutenant Albert Victor (Eutrope), 26-5-15

Captain Marc Giacardy, 20-8-17

Lieutenant Pierre Guillemin, 18-8-15

Sergeant Maurice (Putty) Hédembaigt, 5-8-18

Corporal Emmanuel Francois Iguinitz, 20-9-14

Lieutenant Medical Officer Daniel Ihingoue, 16-4-17

Lieutenant Henri Isaac, 20-6-17

Sergeant Jean Pierre Henri Lacassagne, 14-9-18

Private Gaston Ernest Lane, 23-9-14

Sergeant Jean Aime Larribau, 31-12-16

Sergeant Marcel Legrain, 27-6-15

Sergeant Adjudant Alfred (Maysso) Mayssonnié, 6-9-14

Jean-Sergieant François Poeydebasque, 21-9-14

Ireland

Major William John Beatty OBE, 10-2-19

Second Lieutenant Jasper Thomas Brett, 4-2-17

Captain Robert Balderston Burgess, 9-12-15

Captain Ernest Cotton Deane MC, 25-9-15

Captain William Victor Edwards, 29-12-17

Colonel William Hallaran, 23-1-17

Captain Basil Maclear, 24-5-15

Lieutenant George Herbert McAllan, 14-12-18

Second Lieutenant Vincent McNamara, 29-11-15

Major Robertson Stewart Smyth MD, 5-4-16

Major Albert Lewis Stewart DSO, 4-10-17

Captain Alfred Squire Taylor, 31-7-17

New Zealand

29720 Private James Alexander Steenson Baird, 7-6-17

9/2048 Corporal Robert (Bobby) Stanley Black, 21-9-16

11/448 Sergeant Henry (Norkey) Dewar, 9-8-15

54336 Lance Sergeant Ernest (Ernie) Henry Dodd, 11-9-18

10/2119 Sergeant Albert (Doolan) Joseph Downing, 8-8-15

32513 Sergeant David Gallaher, 4-10-17

35694 Trooper Eric Tristram Harper, 30-4-18

27561 Private James McNeece 21-6-17

72271 Rifleman Alexander James Ridland, 5-11-18

26923 Private George Maurice Victor Sellars, 7-6-17

8/2738 Lance Corporal Reginald Taylor, 20-6-17

426516 Sergeant Hubert Sydney (Jum) Turtill, 9-4-18

Scotland

Lieutenant Cecil Halliday Abercrombie, 31-5-16

Captain David McLaren Bain, 3-6-15

Surgeon David Revell (Darkie) Bedell-Sivright, 5-9-15

Second Lieutenant Patrick Charles Bentley Blair, 6-7-15

Lieutenant John Argentine Campbell, 1-12-17

Captain William Campbell Church, 29-6-15

Lieutenant Walter Michael Dickson, 26-9-15

John Dobs, 30-12-15

Major Walter (Wattie) Torrie Forrest MC, 19-4-17

Captain Rowland Fraser, 1-7-16

Major Roland Elphinstone Gordon MC, 30-8-18

Lieutenant James Young (JY) Milne Henderson, 31-7-17

Lieutenant David Dickie Howie, 19-1-16

Lieutenant James Laidlaw Huggan, 16-9-14

Captain William Ramsay Hutchison, 22-3-18

Lieutenant Colonel George Alexander Walker Lamond, 25-2-18

Lieutenant Eric (Puss) Milroy, 18-6-16

Captain Thomas Arthur Nelson, 9-4-17

Private James (Peary) Pearson, 22-5-15

Captain Lewis Robertson, 3-11-14

75027 Sergeant Andrew Ross, 6-4-16

2565 Private James (Jimmy) Ross, 31-10-14

Lieutenant Ronald Francis Simson, 14-9-14

Lieutenant Stephen Sebastian Lombard (Beak) Steyn, 8-12-17

Second Lieutenant Walter Riddell Sutherland (Wattie Suddie), 4-10-18

Lieutenant Frederick Harding (Tanky) Turner, 10-1-15

Lieutenant Albert Luvian Wade, 28-4-17

Lieutenant John George Will, 25-3-17

Lieutenant William Middleton Wallace, 22-8-15

Lieutenant Commander John Skinner Wilson, 31-5-16

Captain Eric Templeton Young, 28-6-15

South Africa

Captain Adam Francis Burdett, 4-11-18

6004 Sergeant Septimus (Sep) Heyns Ledger, 12-4-17

Captain Tobias (Toby) Mortimer Moll, 14/15-7-16

1455 Private Jan (Jackie) Willem Hurter Morkel, 15-5-16

3744 Private Gerald W. (Tommy) Thompson, 20-6-16

United States of America

Lieutenant Frank Jacob (Deke) Gard, 27-9-18

Wales

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Davies Garnons-Williams, 27-9-15

Second Lieutenant William (Billy) Purdon Geen, 31-7-15

Major Brinley (Bryn) Richard Lewis, 2-4-17

Lieutenant Hopkin (Hop) Thomas Maddock MC, 21-12-21

Second Lieutenant Fred Leonard Perrett, 1-12-18

Sergeant Louis (Lou) Augustus Phillips, 14-3-16

Captain Charles Meyrick Pritchard, 14-8-16

Engineer Captain Charles Gerald Taylor MVO, 24-1-15

24093 Company Sergeant Major Edward John Richard (Dick) Thomas, 7-7-16

Second Lieutenant Horace Wyndham Thomas, 3-9-16

Second Lieutenant Philip (Phil) Dudley Waller, 14-12-17

Corporal David Watts, 14-7-16

Private David (Dai) Westacott, 28-8-17

Captain John Lewis Williams, 12-7-16

Bibliography

Foreword

I have to admit to becoming emotionally involved with this book. I think you would have to be less than human to research and write about these men and their sacrifice without feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness. That said, I have enjoyed writing it. I have not been able to write as much as I would have liked to due to the length and size of the book; in most cases I could have written much more on each player. The French team caused me the most difficulty and I struggled to find much on several of the players. Because of this I am determined to continue my research into the pre-war French team and build up bigger and better files on each of them. You will note that there are a few omissions from the book, men who have previously been accepted as rugby internationals. My interpretation has been that internationals were men who played for their country’s team against another country’s team and were awarded a cap. The men I have missed out, although picked to represent their country, were never awarded a cap. This does not reflect on their playing ability or their sacrifice; it just means that they never played an international.

I have also added a number of players. Most of these died of their wounds after the war, in one case some considerable time after the war. In this I have had to use my own judgement. If I feel satisfied that they died of wounds received during the war then I have included them and not allowed some arbitrary time limit to cloud my judgement. I have also always used the word ‘Died’. For this I followed the view of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. They do not say ‘killed in action’, ‘died of wounds’ but always use the word ‘Died’. It is easier to explain that way. Some were killed in action; others lingered for hours, days, and weeks, before dying; yet others died of disease. The text explains how they died which I feel is sufficient.

I am sure that I have made mistakes. I have tried not to and I hope that, if there are any, I have kept them to a minimum. However, if you feel I have and that they are important please feel free to write to me via my publisher Pen and Sword. If I feel your point is valid or I have added or omitted something I will amend the error for the next edition. I hope this book will be a work that I am able to improve with each edition.

If you feel I have left anybody out who ought to have been included, please let me know and, if I feel your argument is sound, I will happily include them in following editions. On the other hand, if you feel that I have put someone in who shouldn’t be there the same applies.

After reading the book you may feel that you would like to get involved in researching these men further and I can recommend the Rugby History Society, a dedicated group of supporters and researchers who do an excellent job and who, I know, have their own project on this subject. You can find them on line at www.therugbyhistorysociety.co.uk Adding to our knowledge of these extraordinary people is, I feel, very important.

I am donating the royalties for this book to Help for Heroes, a first-class charity that I believe needs all the help it can get.

Most of all I hope you enjoy reading the book and take something from it. I’m not sure it was the best idea to do this all on my own as there was more work required than I imagined. However, it has been a labour of love and one I have enjoyed. Let’s hope that these and all the other people, both men and women, who made the supreme sacrifice for their country are never forgotten.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Nigel McCrery

October 2013

Acknowledgements

Dai Richards. Rugby Relics. A man who loves the game of Rugby and took a lot of time and trouble to help. Many thanks.

Lucy Noakes. Pubic affairs manager RFU

Michael Rowe, World Rugby Museum Twickenham.

John Griffiths, for his help, assistance and photographs.

Richard Doherty. Editor. For all his hard work and first class notes.

Mr. Alan Clay. Friend and First class researcher.

Henry Wilson. Pen and Sword Books.

Matt Jones. Pen and Sword Books.

Mr. Richard Black.

Roan Hackney

Cecilia Gill. Photographer and actress

London Medal Company.

The Ruby History Society.

Ms. Nelly Khmilkovska.

William Ivory.

Taff Gillingham.

Pierce Noonan.

Dix Noonan Webb Medal Company.

Emma Oxley

Ashley McCrery.

Chloe O Reilly, Newcastle Regional Library, NSW, Australia.

All the Publishing Team at Pen and Sword.

Michael Johnson. Medals Forum. Expert researcher.

Phil Nodding

Ashley McCrery

RFU (England)

SRU (Scotland)

WRU (Wales)

IRFU (Ireland)

FFR (France)

NZRU (New Zealand)

ARU (Australia)

SARU (South Africa)

Australia

1660 Private Harold Wesley George

13th (New South Wales) Infantry Battalion, AIF

Died 10 May 1915

Aged 28

Prop

Eight Caps

‘Never beaten until the whistle went’

Harold Wesley George was born in 1887 at Paddington, New South Wales. Educated at Paddington Public School, on leaving school he became apprenticed as a carpenter. Described as being five feet nine inches tall and weighing thirteen stone, Harold played his club rugby for the Eastern Suburbs RUFC in Sydney. He first played for Eastern Suburbs in 1907; at the time of his death he held the club record of ninety-five club matches. He was a club selector when picked to play for NSW vs Queensland (NSW won the series: six-eight, eleven-three and twenty-one-eight) and vs New Zealand in 1910 (eight-twenty-one). He played twenty times for NSW. An outstanding player in Australia’s first win against New Zealand in 1910 (eleven-nil), he toured America with the 1912 Wallabies and played in the Test won by Australia twelve-eight. In all, he represented Australia on eight occasions and played for NSW twenty times.

On 21 January 1915 George enlisted as a private in the 13th (New South Wales) Australian Imperial Force (AIF) at Liverpool, New South Wales. The battalion had been raised in September 1914, only six weeks after the declaration of war. The main strength of the battalion left Australia from Albany in December, arriving in Egypt in February 1915. Harold George enlisted as a reinforcement for the 13th and left Sydney on board HMAT A49 Seang Choon on 11 February 1915.

Along with the rest of 4 Brigade, under the command of Colonel John Monash, the 13th Battalion took part in the landings at Anzac Cove, arriving late on 25 April 1915. Between May and August, they were heavily involved in operations to establish and defend the narrow beachhead against Turkish assaults. Harold George was mortally wounded at Pope’s Post, Gallipoli. Australian International player T. J. ‘Rusty’ Richards wrote that George:

got the axe for a very brave action. It appears that he was one of five to go at midday and attempt to locate a machine gun and Turkish trenches. The sergeant got a rough time and was finally shot. Harold, after a while, found the corner too hot and taking the sergeant’s body he made it back under heavy fire to the trenches. When he was preparing to get into the trench himself a bullet passed through his body low down.

He died from wounds on 10 May 1915 aboard ship after evacuation from Gallipoli. A funeral service was conducted by the chaplain from HMS London and Harold was buried at sea.

His club mate Clarrie Wallach, who also fought at Anzac Cove, wrote a letter home which was published in the sporting paper The Referee. He described hearing of George’s death from William Tasker, another rugby contemporary who saw Gallipoli action and later died on the Western Front; ‘Twit Tasker told me how Harold George died the death of deaths – a hero’s – never beaten till the whistle went.’ He is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Turkey (Panel 37).

His brother, 2520 Corporal Roy Wesley George, 45th Battalion, was killed in action at Dernacourt, France, on 5 April 1918. Their next of kin was given as their mother, Mrs E. George, Kemmis Street, Randwick, NSW.

International Caps

25 June 1910. Australia (0) vs New Zealand (0) 6. Sydney Cricket Ground.

27 June 1910. Australia (3) 11 vs New Zealand (0) 0. Sydney Cricket Ground.

2 July 1910. Australia (5) 13 vs New Zealand (6) 28. Sydney Cricket Ground.

16 November 1912. USA (0) 8 vs Australia (5) 12. California Field, Berkeley.

6 September 1913. New Zealand (11) 30 vs Australia (5) 5. Athletic Park, Wellington.

20 September 1913. New Zealand (5) 5 vs Australia (5) 16. Lancaster Park, Christchurch.

18 July 1914. Australia (0) 0 vs New Zealand (0) 5. Sydney Sports Ground.

15 August 1914. Australia (0) 7 vs New Zealand (3) 22. Sydney Sports Ground.

Captain Bryan Desmond Hughes MC

Royal Dublin Fusiliers

Died 6 August 1918

Aged 30

Flanker

Two Caps

‘Still an Australian through and through’

Bryan Desmond Hughes was born in Sydney in 1887, the son of Mr and Mrs John Hughes MLC. Educated at Saint Ignatius’ College, a Roman Catholic Church School, Riverview, in Sydney, New South Wales, he played as a prop/hooker for North Sydney, NSW, and was considered an outstanding goal kicker; he converted two goals in Australia’s 1913 victory over New Zealand.

On leaving school Hughes went to work for Birt and Co. Ltd, before joining John Bridge and Co. Ltd, as a clerk, both operating out of Sydney. After gaining some commercial experience he travelled to England to work for his uncle, Sir Thomas Hughes MLC, to study law. At the outbreak of the war he was commissioned into the 8th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (the same battalion as his brother Lieutenant Gilbert N. Hughes who was later engaged on Allenby’s staff in Palestine). He went to France on 20 December 1915 and was quickly involved in some of the heaviest fighting of the war. Promoted to captain he went on to be awarded the Military Cross for bravery, the citation for which read:

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Though severely wounded, he organised the battalion bombers and led them against the enemy, who had penetrated a portion of the front line. It was largely owing to his personal example and good leadership that the enemy were driven out.

His MC was gazetted on 24 June 1916.

Seriously wounded again in 1917, he had only recently returned to the front when he was killed in action on 6 August 1918. He is buried in Borre British Cemetery, Nord, France (Grave II. G2).

International Caps

13 September 1913. New Zealand (9) 25 vs Australia (8) 13. Carisbrook, Dunedin.

20 September 1913. New Zealand (5) 5 vs Australia (5) 16. Lancaster Park, Christchurch. 398

448 Private Herbert (or Hubert) A. Jones

30th Battalion AIF

Died 4 November 1916

Aged 27

Centre

Three Caps

‘Whatever Comes He Would Face’

Herbert Webber Jones was born in 1888 to William Morris Jones and Mary Jones of little Young Street (now Roger Street), Carrington. He was one of six children, three girls and three boys. On leaving school he joined his brothers working as a coal trimmer on the Carrington docks. Jones played his rugby for Carrington (as well as several other local clubs). He played no fewer than twenty-one matches for New South Wales between 1911 and 1914 and toured the United States with the twenty-three-man Australian team in 1912 (although he did not play an international match). He toured New Zealand as a centre three-quarter in 1913, playing in three tests and scoring three tries.

Herbert Jones enlisted in the AIF on 26 July 1915 at the age of 26 years and 11 months. He was posted to the 30th Battalion of the newly formed 5th Division and embarked on the troopship Beltana on 9 November 1915. Herbert Jones was killed in action by shellfire on 4 November 1916, being the only member of the battalion killed on that day.

He is buried in the AIF Burial Ground, Grass Lane, Flers (Plot IX, row B, grave 4). As he was not married, his mother Mary was granted a pension of one pound per fortnight. It has been said that his last surviving sister Nell Beesley (Roger Street Carrington) donated Herbert’s Australian and New South Wales touring caps to the Newcastle Regional Museum during the mid-1980s. However, having contacted the museum, they tell me they have no record of this.

International Caps

6 September 1913. New Zealand (11) 30 vs Australia (5) 5. Athletic Ground, Wellington.

13 September 1913. New Zealand (9) 25 vs Australia (8) 13. Carisbrook, Dunedin.

20 September 1913. New Zealand (5) 5 vs Australia (5) 16. Lancaster Park, Christchurch.

For many years Herbert Jones has been confused with 6616 Herbert Jones, 20th Battalion AIF, who was killed in action on 9 July 1918 and is buried in Crucifix Corner Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux, Somme, France (V E. I).

321 Sergeant Edward Rennix Larkin

C Company 1st Battalion, AIF

KIA 25 April 1915

Aged 34

Hooker

One Cap

‘In time of peace they readily asserted the rights of citizenship. In time of war they fiercely protected them.’

Edward Rennix Larkin was born on 21 September 1880 at North Lambton, New South Wales, the third child of William Joseph Larkin, a quarryman and miner, and his wife Mary Ann, née Rennix. Edward eventually moved with his family to Camperdown in Sydney and was educated by the Marist Brothers at Saint Benedict’s School, Chippendale, Sydney. During his final two years at school he was boarded at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill where, in 1896, he was selected to play for the college first XV.

On leaving school he first became a journalist working on the Year Book of Australia. Then in 1903 he joined the Metropolitan Police Force as a constable, being promoted to first-constable in 1905. At the time he joined he was described as five feet ten and a half inches (179cm), weighing thirteen stone (83kg), with blue eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion. On 24 July 1903 he married his long-time girlfriend May Josephine Yates at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Newton, and they went on to have two sons.

As well as being a fine rugby player he maintained an active involvement in cricket and swimming. He continued his rugby union career, playing for the Endeavour Rugby Club at Newtown in Sydney and captaining the side in 1903. That year he played as a forward for the State against New Zealand and Queensland and was then selected to play for Australia in the first test at Sydney on 15 August 1903; on this occasion Larkin played hooker. The Australians were soundly beaten 22-3. He was not to represent Australia again.

A good and eloquent speaker, an ability he honed as a member of the St Joseph’s (Newtown) Debating Society, he began to take an interest in politics and to have parliamentary aspirations. In June 1909 he left the police force and became the first full-time secretary of the New South Wales Rugby Football League. He was an excellent organizer and strongly promoted rugby league, as was clearly demonstrated when a crowd of 42,000 filled the Agricultural Oval in June 1910 to watch the Australia v Great Britain test. During his administration he also convinced the Catholic education hierarchy, and the Marist Brothers, to adopt rugby league as their winter sporting game. In 1911 he became a justice of the peace before standing as an Australian Labour Party candidate on 13 December 1913, winning the seat of Willoughby taking 51.61 per cent of the votes. While in parliament he became a vocal supporter for the building of a bridge across Sydney Harbour.

On 17 August 1914, only ten days after war had been declared, Larkin enlisted, joining C Company in the 1st Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, not as an officer which, given his position, would have been almost automatic in England, but as a private soldier. His talents quickly became apparent and he was soon promoted to sergeant. The 1st Battalion left Australia in October 1914, arriving in Egypt on 2 December. Larkin’s battalion landed at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915, one of the most infamous dates in Australian military history and one of its finest. Larkin was shot and killed by machine-gun fire while attempting to secure a hill known as Baby 700. When the stretcher-bearers came to evacuate him, although badly wounded and dying, he waved them on saying, ‘There’s plenty worse than me out there’.

He died a short while later. His brother Martin Larkin also died that day above the heights of Anzac Cove. Neither body was ever recovered. Their names are commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial commemorating 4,934 Australian and New Zealand dead who have no known graves.

News of Larkin’s death reached Australia in June 1915. A memorial service was held in St Mary’s Cathedral to celebrate the life of this remarkable man