There
are eight Irish International rugby players listed by the Commonwealth & War
Graves Commission as having died in World War 2. They are
Commander
Charles Francis George Thomas Hallaran
21st March 1941.
Royal Navy, HMS
Springbank
He
was born on 10th June 1897 in
Ceylon
, the son of Colonel William Hallaran and Mrs. Hallaran and educated at
Eastman’s College, RNC Dartmouth, US
Portsmouth
. He played rugby for the Royal Navy, the Barbarians and
Surrey
.
His
father, who served in the RMC in
India
also played rugby for
Ireland
against
Wales
in 1884 but he played under the name R.O.N. Hall so that his father, who was a
clergyman would not know. His father died in World War 1.
He
played 15 times for
Ireland
they were
Date
|
Opposition
|
Venue
|
Attendance
|
Result
|
Score (HT)
|
12th Feb 1921
|
England
|
Twickenham
|
27,500
|
Lost
|
0(0)-15(3)
|
26th Feb 1921
|
Scotland
|
Lansdowne Road
,
Dublin
|
|
Won
|
9(3)-8(8)
|
12th Mar 1921
|
Wales
|
Balmoral Showgrounds,
Belfast
|
|
Lost
|
0-6
|
11th Feb 1922
|
England
|
Lansdowne Road
,
Dublin
|
|
Lost
|
3(3)-12(6)
|
25th Feb 1922
|
Scotland
|
Inverleith, Edinburgh
|
|
Lost
|
3(3)-6(0)
|
11th Mar 1922
|
Wales
|
St. Helen’sSwansea
|
40,000
|
Lost
|
5(0)-11(3)
|
10th Feb 1923
|
England
|
Welford Road
, Leicester
|
20,000
|
Lost
|
5(0)-23(15)
|
14th Apr 1923
|
France
|
Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir,
Colombes
,
Paris
|
20,000
|
Lost
|
8(5)-14(6)
|
26th Jan 1924
|
France
|
Lansdowne Road
,
Dublin
|
20,000
|
Won
|
6(3)-0(0)
|
9th Feb 1924
|
England
|
Ravenhill,
Belfast
|
15,000
|
Lost
|
3(3)-14(3)
|
23rd Feb 1924
|
Scotland
|
Inverleith, Edinburgh
|
|
Lost
|
8(5)-13(10)
|
8th Mar 1924
|
Wales
|
National Stadium,
Cardiff
|
35,000
|
Won
|
13(8)-10(3)
|
1st Jan 1925
|
France
|
Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir,
Colombes
,
Paris
|
35,000
|
Won
|
9(0)-3(3)
|
23rd Jan 1926
|
France
|
Ravenhill,
Belfast
|
20,000
|
Won
|
11(8)-0(0)
|
13th Feb 1926
|
England
|
Lansdowne Road
,
Dublin
|
|
Won
|
19(6)-15(10)
|
He played ? for
the Barbarians.

Above the 1923 Barbarians
Easter tour party. Standing (L-R): H.G.Periton, C.F.G.Hallaran, J.D.Clinch,
N.Knox, G.C.Parker, J.R.Wheeler, D.J.Malan, F.Spriggs, E.McLaren, G.W.Simpson,
R.Armstrong, J.J.V.Van Druten. Seated: J.C.R.Buchanan, H.L.G.Hughes,
M.P.Atkinson, H.W.Backhouse, E.de Lissa, T.Lawton, C.Adams, N.A.Clarke,
D.Marsden-Jones. On Ground: G.G.Atkins, J.L.F.Steele, D.R.Wheeler, T.G.Wallis,
J.C.Seager, D.Drysdale, H.P.Jacob.

Above
the 1924 Irish side that played
Wales
. Hallaran is seated extreme right.
Charles
was engaged to Annita Lindsay Sinclair in May 1923 and married her at St.
Bernard’s
Parish
Church
, now
Stockbridge
Parish
Church
,
Saxe-Coburg Street
, Stockbridge,
Edinburgh
on 25th February 1924. She went on to marry Lieutenant-Commander
Hugh Chubb on 1st June 1934.
He
got married for the second time to Elizabeth Joyce Philpott, the eldest daughter
of Rev. R. G. Philpott of College Precinct, Worcester in
London
on 3rd May 1934.
On
the night of 21st March 1941 a motor-boat came alongside Cdr. Hallaran's ship to
take off the pilot. A swell made this boat roll and pitch heavily, and a stoker
was thrown overboard between it and the ship's side. He was seen to be in
difficulties, and was in danger of being crushed as the swell kept heaving the
boat against the ship. Cdr. Hallaran climbed into the boat, jumped into the sea,
and swam round to help him. He got the stoker back to the boat, but as he did so
was thrown against it. His skull was fractured and he was drowned before he
could be got back on board. He was awarded the Albert Medal posthumously.
He
was buried at
Belfast
City
Cemetery
.
A
fellow officer wrote in The Times on 4th September 1941
I crave your indulgence that
I may write a word in personal sorrow at the quick and untimely death that
claimed by brother officer, Charles Hallaran – I had only known him a few
months – short, as many of his friendships go – but in that time I, and all
of us had come to rest upon him as the pillar of his ship’s existence. He had
a sure sense of affairs and was an utterly loyal senior – a priceless man. In
duty inflexible, in pleasure he was warm, and the widespread company of those
who mourn him will testify to the gaiety and sunshine of his spirit. His
tantrums were great – as tremendous as himself. He had a mighty joy in a row,
whether he was right or wrong. What did it matter! all was soon blown over, and
once more that slow and attractive smile would take the sting from any words of
his. We his messmates miss him. We are leaderless. No greater tribute can we
give than to say how hollowly we feel an absence where once, so lately, dwelt,
such a massive presence.

Above HMS Springbank an
Anti-Aircraft ship. Six months later she was part of the Atlantic convoy HG-73
and was hit by the German submarine U-201 and scuttled by HMS Jasmine
north-northeast of the
Azores
.
Wing
Commander Patrick Bernard Coote
13th April 1941
Royal
Air Force, 211 Squadron
He
was born on 7th January 1910 in
Eton
. He was the son of Comdr B.T. Coote, O.B.E, R.N., and. He was educated at
Woking
County
Grammar School
.
Above
Paddy Coote at
Woking
County
Grammar School
In
1925 Paddy Coote enlisted in the Royal Air Force as an aircraft Apprentice and
was stationed at RAF Halton. In 1928 he was awarded the Sir Charles Wakefield
Scholarship of £75 for an apprenticeship/cadetship at
RAF
Cranwell
College
. In July 1930 he was awarded the Sword of Honour for being the most outstanding
student at Cranwell, beating Douglas Bader into second place, and was awarded
the Air Ministry prize for aero-nautical engineering after getting the highest
marks.
He
was an all round sportsman. In January 1928 he made his first appearance for the
RAF Rugby Team against
Cambridge
University
(he also played against the Royal Navy and the Civil Service that season). He
also represented
RAF Cadet
School
, Cranwell against
Uppingham
School
in October. In March 1929 he took part in putting the weight at the Service
Cadets Athletics match for RAF College Cranwell against the
Royal
Military
Academy
, Woolwich and the
Royal
Military
College
,
Sandhurst
at the Aldershot Command Athletic Central Ground. He also played hockey for RAF
College Cranwell.
In 1931 he won the RAF Squash Championship and was runner-up the next year
(whilst carrying a rugby inflicted injury). In February 1931 he was a member of
the RAF Bobsleigh team representing Great Britain in the Gold Cup at St. Moritz
(this was the first time the RAf represented GB in a international bobsleigh
championship), they lost to Switzerland. He again represented the RAF at rugby
in 1931 playing against the Royal Navy (playing along side Douglas Barder),
United Banks and the Army (playing along side F.S. Hodder of RAF Henlow and
London Irish).
In July 1931 he took part in the RAF Lawn tennis Championship at the All-England
Club,
Wimbledon
. He was knocked out in the second round in the singles and the doubles (his
partner was Douglas Barder). In October 1931 he played Rugby for
London
v
South Africa
at Twickenham.
London
lost 30-3. The after match dinner took place at the
Savoy
, and the entertainment was a sound film of the match. In December 1931 and 1932
he represented the RAF in the Inter Services Squash Racket Tournament. In
January 1932 he took part in the
Ireland
trail match playing for the Blues.

RAF that lost to the
Royal Navy 16-0 on 22nd February 1931. Pilot Officer P.C.B.Coote of RAF Tangmere
seated third right. Also in the photo are RAF captain and Ireland International
George Beamish seated 4th right and WW2 Ace Douglas Bader seated extreme right.
In
1932 he again represented the RAF at rugby playing against
Coventry
, Pontypool and the Army, and in 1933 against
Cambridge
University
,
Northampton
, Royal Navy, and the Army. In 1933 he played for East Midlands against
Warwickshire and Leicestershire in the
County
Championship
. On 1st April 1933 he won his only international cap for
Ireland
v
Scotland
(
Ireland
lost 8-6). Between1931-33 he played 27 times for
Leicester
. He is the second Leicester player to be capped by
Ireland
.

RAF
side that lost 21-14 to
Northampton
on 7th January 1933. Paddy.Coote seated third right. Also in the photo are
RAF captain and Ireland International George Beamish seated 4th right. His
brother Charles Beamish, another Ireland International, is seated second
from the right.
In December 1933 whilst
playing for Leicester away to
Swansea
in a tackle he suffered a serious neck injury and concussion, he was
hospitalised for a few months at RAF hospital Uxbridge. He never played rugby
again.
He
was then granted a permanent commission as a Pilot Officer then got posted to a
fighter squadron (No. 43) at RAF Tangmere. In September 1931 he was selected for
a flying instructor’s course and reached category A.1. in 1936.
He then returned to Cranwell as an instructor until 1933. In February that year
he was transferred to the staff at the central flying school at RAF Wittering.
December 1934 he was appointed Abjuntant of a bomber squadron. The following
year he returned to flying instructors duty this time in the
Middle East
. He was promoted to Flight Lieutenant in January 1936. In February 1938 he was
seconded to the Special Duty List of the British Military Mission in Eypgt. In
October that year he was promoted to Squadron Leader. In October 1940 he was
promoted to Wing Commander.
He
played once for
Ireland
in 1933 against
Scotland
.
Date
|
Opposition
|
Venue
|
Attendance
|
Result
|
Score (HT)
|
1st Apr 1933
|
Scotland
|
Lansdowne Road
,
Dublin
|
|
Lost
|
6(3)-8(4)
|

Above the 1933 Irish side
that played
Scotland
with Coote standing second right.
On
the 1st June 1935 he married Muriel Evelyn Elsmie at
St. Peters
Church
in Ealing, they lived in Chobham. Muriel Coote Died on 5th December 1995. They
had 2 daughters.
In
February 1941 he served with 211 Squadron during the Greek Campaign. He arrived
at Parammythia to setup the advanced operations wing. At the end of February
1941 as ‘W’ Wing leader flying an 80 Squadron Gladiator, he took part in an
air battle over the Tepelene coast and was credited with shooting down an
Italian Fiat CR42a Falco.
On 19th April 1941 he went as an observer to assess the progress of the German
advance in a group of 6 Blenheims. As they approached
Lake
Prespa
on the border of modern day
Macedonia
,
Albania
and
Greece
some 40 miles short of the target area. They were spotted by three
Messerschmitt Bf108e’s of 6/JG27 based at Gazala in
Libya
. The Blenheims didn’t have a fighter escort, in the space of 4 minutes
all 6 Blenheims were shot dow. The plane he was travelling in (L4819) crashed
near the
village
of
Trigonon
. There were only 2 survivors from all 6 crews. Coote's aircraft was the first
of 29 kills of the Luftwaffe ace Unteroffizier, (later Lieutenant) Fritz
Gromotka. His pilot, Richard Herbert, did manage to bail out but the aircraft
was too low and he died. The two survivors, Godfrey and James, made contact and
buried those of their dead comrades that they could find before making their way
by foot, mule and Greek lorry to Larissa, 150 miles distant.
He was buried at the
Phalron
War
Cemetery
in
Greece
along with the rest of the crew.
At
the time of his death he was credited with 1 biplane victory.

Woodham
War Memorial,
Woking
Major
Edward William Francis De Vere Hunt
20th December 1941
Hong
Kong and
Singapore
Royal Artillery, 1
Hong Kong
Regiment.
Ted
Hunt was born on 12th December 1908 the son of John Theodore de Vere
Hunt and Ada Mary de Vere Hunt. He was educated at the
Dragon
School
,
Oxford
and
Rugby
School
. He played rugby for the Army,
Rosslyn
Park
, Hampshire, Wanderers and the Barbarians.

Above Hunt in the 1931
Barbarians Easter Tour Party. Back Row (L-R): R.J.Henderson, H.S.Mackintsoh,
L.L.Bedford, J.L.Farrell, J.H.Beattie, W.R.Logan, J.A.Bassett, D.T.Kemp,
N.Murphy, A.W.Walker, O.L.Owen. Middle Row: D.P.Henshaw, J.W.Allan,
J.McD.Hodgson, D.St Clair Ford, F.W.S.Mair, R.Bolton, S.J.Huins,
J.R.F.Popplewell, R.Burgess, F.Le S.Stone. Seated: A.F.Heppenstall,
J.J.A.Embleton, A.Wemyss, H.A.Haigh Smith, E.de Lissa, H.L.G.Hughes, D.J.MacMyn,
C.R.Hopwood, I.M.B.Stuart. On Ground: A.Key, E.W.F.deV.Hunt, B.R.Tod,
F.L.Williams, J.E.Forrest, J.B.Nelson, S.C.Cravos, C.C.Tanner.
In
the book Barbarian Football Club 1890-1955, Andrew Wemyss (Gala, Edinburgh
Wanderers and
Scotland
) recollected
A UNIQUE IRISHMAN
E. W. F. de Hunt the Irish
full-back and centre three-quarter, was just one of the host of outstanding
players who have added something out of the ordinary to my rambling story.
That he won a tense game
against Newport by dropping a goal in the last minute is worth mention though
not more so than other match winning feats I have recalled “Ted” Hunt,
however, developed into one of the many personalities who added gaiety to
Barbarian occasions both off and on the field and I will never forget how a
frantic run he made at Cardiff gave the crowd at the Arms Park surely the
biggest laugh they had ever had. It was so comical and altogether extraordinary
that it reduced nearly all the players, friend and foe alike, to a state of
laughing immobility.
Hunt was on his first tour
and playing full-back when he won the match at Rodney Parade in 1929. I can see
it now, a tall athletic figure with the fresh complexion of an unshaven boy, his
flaxen hair parted in the middle and wearing
Rosslyn
Park
stockings. He had been competent in everything he did, but hardly looked like
making a memorable contribution to the game.
Newport, with only minute to
play, were leading by a penalty goal kicked by their international full-back,
Bill Everson. We, however, were attacking strongly in an endeavour to save the
game when, to the consternation of the home supporters, for they seldom see such
things, a wild clearing kick went upfield towards Hunt, who was standing almost
of the centre spot. “Ted” gathered that rather round pumpkin of a ball and,
with the calm assurance of a Bancroft, to everyone’s amazement he sent it
sailing between the posts with a beautiful drop kick. That meant four points in
those days and an altogether unexpected win for us.
Hughie and I walked round to
the station together for the journey back to
London
and all the way we hooted with laughter as we discussed our win and how
“Ted” had seemed the most unlikely player in the wide world, as he stood on
the field, even to have a go let alone score from 50 yards range.
As a prelude to the Cardiff
incident I have to explain that when playing for Ireland there a few weeks
earlier in the 1932 international which Ireland had won 12-10, Hunt had caused
Wales a lot of trouble, one being the manner in which he got out of seemingly
safe tackles.
Against
Cardiff
we were playing towards the Taff end and pressing in the vicinity of the
“25” flag on the new stand side near the players’ entrance. From a maul
Cardiff
got the ball. It went back to Harry Bowcott at stand-off and instead of
clearing to touch down the stand side he kicked away across towards our “25”
on the opposite side. I was running the line in front of the old stand and had a
perfect close-up of all that happened.
The ball did not reach touch
by a bit. It kept rolling and bumping, and with R. W. Langrish as full-back
guarding the line on the other side, “Ted” Hunt came after it, and easy
first,. As he ran back after it, however, he could not gather it. He kept
knocking it out of his reach as Little Tich used to do with his elongated boots
when he was trying to pick up his silk hat in his well-known comic stage act.
By this time four
Cardiff
forwards, with a glint in their eyes which showed they were not going to allow
Hunt to repeat his “international” nonsense were closing for the kill.
“Ted” at last picked up the ball, but no sooner was it in his hands when the
human avalanche arrived.
Crash, bang, wallop, thud,
and as I looked to see if no help was coming “Ted” suddenly jumped out of
the welter of arms and legs and raced away straight across our “25” line.
Langrish, who had got back to the vicinity of the posts, like everyone else was
bewildered and I thought to myself, “Good heavens, he’ll be away out the
other side of the ground and up Westgate Street if nobody stops him”
However, when he was nearly
at the other side “Ted” apparently took a look at his compass, suddenly
changed direction and went tearing up the other side of the pitch. After
whistling past about the only two
Cardiff
players capable of moving, Hunt found Ben Tod racing alongside, although he,
too, was bursting with laughter. Then, as if to say “That’s been great fun,
Ben, you have a go now,” Hunt gave the ball to Tod who scorched the remaining
30 yards or so to score an astonishing try which Brian Black converted.
My other yarn about Hunt is
all-Irish, he and Paddy Coote as opponents at centre taking part in the wildly
exciting race which ended not with a try but a great saving tackle in the
Leicester
match of 1931.
Play was close to the
Tiger’s line and our full-back, Leslie Bedford, joined in an attack which
broke down. In a flash Paddy Coote gathered the loose ball and set off for the
pavilion end with no-one to beat.
When Hunt took up the chase
he was more than a good five yards behind and as Coote crossed the centre line
it seemed he was bound to score. Running like a man possessed, however, the
Baa-Baa skipper gradually narrowed the gap, and as he closed the roar of the
crowd was tremendous. Fifteen yards to go, then ten and still Hunt was just out
of distance. But when it looked hopeless he hurled himself through the air and
made a brilliant tackle which felled Coote to the ground just inches short of
the line.
Incidentally, Morgan Crowe,
another Irish cap, was the Tigers’ other centre in that game.
He
played five times for
Ireland
between 1930 and 1933. He scored a try in the 1932 match against
Scotland
and in his last match in 1933 against
England
.

Above the 1933 Irish side
that played
England
. Hunt’s last cap for
Ireland
, in which he scored a try. He is standing third from the left.
He played 5
times for
Ireland
they were
Date
|
Opposition
|
Venue
|
Attendance
|
Result
|
Score (HT)
|
25th Jan 1930
|
France
|
Ravenhill,
Belfast
|
25,000
|
Lost
|
0-5
|
13th Feb 1932
|
England
|
Lansdowne Road
,
Dublin
|
|
Lost
|
8(3)-11(6)
|
27th Feb 1932
|
Scotland
|
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
|
|
Won
|
20(5)-8(0)
|
12th Mar 1932
|
Wales
|
National Stadium,
Cardiff
|
|
Won
|
12(3)-10(3)
|
11th Feb 1933
|
England
|
Twickenham
|
|
Lost
|
6(3)-17(9)
|
He
played for the Army against the RN & RAF in 1929 & ‘32 and against the
FR Army in 1929 &’31. He attended the RMA Woolwich between 1927 and 29.
Second Lieutenant Royal Artillery,
Aldershot
. In 1933 he was appointed Lieutenant Royal artillery.
He
married Nancy Rudkin on 5th June 1934 at St. Nicholas Compton,
Guildford
. She was the eldest daughter of Major Hugh Robert Ernest Rudkin OBE of Brook
House,
Compton
,
Guildford
.
In
1935 he switched to the Royal Horse Artillery with whom he served as a Captain
in
Egypt
and
Palestine
. On the 25th December 1938 he was posted to the Hong Kong &
Singapore Royal Artillery, with whom he served as a Major. He
was killed at Wong Nei Chang Gap on 20th December 1941 during the Japanese
attack on the island.

Above
he is commemorated at Sai Wan Memorial,
Hong Kong
.
It
was some time before his death was announced. His wife advertised in The Times
0n 14th March 1942 for information about his whereabouts. His death
was finally confirmed in June 1944
Lieutenant
Colonel John Joseph Clune
12th September 1942
Royal
Army Veterinary Corps
He
was born on 2nd April 1890 and educated at
Blackrock
College
.
He
played six times for
Ireland
between 1912 and 1914, they were
Date
|
Opposition
|
Venue
|
Attendance
|
Result
|
Score (HT)
|
30th Nov 1912
|
South Africa
|
Lansdowne Road
,
Dublin
|
20,000
|
Lost
|
0(0)-38(12)
|
8th Mar 1913
|
Wales
|
St. Helen’s,
Swansea
|
|
Lost
|
13(8)-16(8)
|
24th Mar 1913
|
France
|
Mardyke,
Cork
|
6,000
|
Won
|
24(8)-0(0)
|
1st Jan 1914
|
France
|
Parc des Princes
|
|
Won
|
8(0)-6(3)
|
14th Feb 1914
|
England
|
Twickenham
|
40,000
|
Lost
|
12(7)-17(6)
|
14th Mar 1914
|
Wales
|
Balmoral Showgrounds,
Belfast
|
|
Lost
|
3(3)-11(3)
|
He
married Catherine Chichester. She was the daughter of Lt. Col. Alfred Chichester
of the 28th Punjabi’s. She died on 25th June 1947, aged
only 43, at the West Country Hospital,
Penzance
. She is buried at the
Barnoon
Cemetery
, St. Ives.
Above
the
Ireland
and
South Africa
sides that played in 1912. Clune is third from left on the back row.
Minch
, who also died in World War 2 is third from left on the front row.
He
died on 12th September 1943 aged 53 in the
Mediterranean
.
He
is commemorated at Brookwood Memorial.
Lieutenant
Colonel John Berchmans Minch
8th November 1942
Royal
Army Medical Corps
He
was born on 29th July 1890 in Athy, Co. Kildare, the second son of
Matthew Joseph Minch MP, JP of Rockfield House, Athy. His father was Member of
Parliament for South Kildare from 1892 to 1903 and owned the largest maltsters
in
Ireland
, Minch Malt, at Athy. He was educated at
Clongowes
Wood
College
, University College Dublin and played rugby for Bective Rangers, the Army and
the Barbarians.
He
played five times for
Ireland
between 1912 and 1914, they were
Date
|
Opposition
|
Venue
|
Attendance
|
Result
|
Score (HT)
|
30th Nov 1912
|
South Africa
|
Lansdowne Road
,
Dublin
|
20,000
|
Lost
|
0(0)-38(12)
|
8th Feb 1913
|
England
|
Lansdowne Road
,
Dublin
|
15,000
|
Lost
|
4(0)-15(9)
|
22nd Feb 1913
|
Scotland
|
Inverleith, Edinburgh
|
|
Lost
|
14(5)-29(18)
|
14th Feb 1914
|
England
|
Twickenham
|
40,000
|
Lost
|
12(7)-17(6)
|
28th Feb 1914
|
Scotland
|
Lansdowne Road
,
Dublin
|
|
Won
|
6-0
|

Above
Minch in the 1912 Irish side that played
South Africa
He
became engaged to Lesley Grogan Anstruther Murray in 1922. She was the daughter
of Mr and Mrs William Anstruther Murray of Regent’s Park,
London
.
During
World War 1 he was with the Royal Army Medical Corps and served in
India
.
See
Irish Journal of Medical Science (1926-1967)
Volume 18, Number 2, ,
DOI: 10.1007/BF02952249
He
is buried at
Delhi
War
Cemetery
Group
Captain Reginald Vere Massey Odbert
18th July 1943
Royal
Air Force
He
was born on 9th February 1904, the third son of Herbert Massey Odbert
and Annie Emily Odbert, of Monkstown, Co.
Dublin
. He was educated at
Blackrock
College
and
Dublin
University
and was in their 1st XV in 1924-25. He also captained the RAF rugby
XV in 1928 and 1932.
He
joined the RAF, with a short service commission in June 1927 from
Blackrock
College
. In 1930-31 he served in the
Middle East
command, and from 1934 to 1936 was an experimental pilot in the Armament
testing Squadron. In March 1939, he was appointed to the Directorate of
Operational Requirements at the Air Ministry. He was promoted squadron leader in
June 1936, wing commander in March 1939, and group captain in September 1941.
Above
Reginald Odbert in the 1924-25 Trinity 1st XV seated extreme right.
He played
once for
Ireland
in 1928 against
France
in
Belfast
Date
|
Opposition
|
Venue
|
Attendance
|
Result
|
Score (HT)
|
28th Jan 1928
|
France
|
Ravenhill,
Belfast
|
20,000
|
Won
|
12(6)-8(8)
|

Above
the 1928 Irish side that played
France
with Odbert standing second from the left.

Above
the Monkstown Parish Church World War 2 Memorial with Odbert’s name.
A
brother officer wrote his obituary in The Times on 9th August 1943,
it said
In the course of 20 years
service in the Royal Air Force men such as Group Captain R. V. M. Odbert acquire
many friends. In captaining the rugger team he still further enlarged that
circle. All who knew him will agree that “Oddy” gave his whole life to his
profession and closely approached the ideal officer. Those who served with him
pay tribute to his honesty of purpose and tenacity: his simplicity of living was
exemplary, his only luxury being his generosity to others. These qualities
evoked a profound respect both from those who saw eye to eye with him and those
who differed in the many difficult problems in which he dealt. After many years
of hard work he had his reward. It was clear from talking to his officers and
men that during the few months in which he commanded an operational station in
Bomber Command they saw in him the man who gave his utmost and who was grateful
for the support that inevitably followed. Although he leaves so many friends,
there will be many to greet him.
He
died on 18th July 1943 in Scunthorpe and is buried at
Newark-upon-Trent
Cemetery
, Nottinghamshire.
See
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1928/1928%20-%200634.html?tracked=1
Tim Massey
Odbert of Wasps
Captain
Robert Alexander 19th
July 1943
Royal
Inniskilling Fusilers
He
was born on 24th September 1910 in
Belfast
.

He
played rugby for RBAI, Queen’s University, NIFC, Police Union, British Lions
and the Barbarians. He played eleven times for
Ireland
between 1936 and 1939. He also played cricket for
Ireland
.
Date
|
Opposition
|
Venue
|
Attendance
|
Result
|
Score (HT)
|
8th Feb 1936
|
England
|
Lansdowne Road
,
Dublin
|
36,000
|
Won
|
6(0)-3(3)
|
22nd Feb 1936
|
Scotland
|
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
|
|
Won
|
10(10)-4(0)
|
14th Mar 1936
|
Wales
|
National Stadium,
Cardiff
|
70,000
|
Lost
|
0(0)-3(3)
|
13th Feb 1936
|
England
|
Twickenham
|
|
Lost
|
8-9
|
27th Feb 1937
|
Scotland
|
Lansdowne Road
,
Dublin
|
|
Won
|
11(3)-4(0)
|
3rd Apr 1937
|
Wales
|
Ravenhill,
Belfast
|
20,000
|
Won
|
5(0)-3(3)
|
12th Feb 1938
|
England
|
Lansdowne Road
,
Dublin
|
|
Lost
|
14(0)-36(23)
|
26th Feb 1938
|
Scotland
|
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
|
|
Lost
|
14(3)-23(15)
|
11th Feb 1939
|
England
|
Twickenham
|
|
Won
|
5-0
|
25th Feb 1939
|
Scotland
|
Lansdowne Road
,
Dublin
|
|
Won
|
12(9)-3(0)
|
11th Mar 1939
|
Wales
|
Ravenhill,
Belfast
|
28,000
|
Lost
|
0-7
|
He
scored one try against
Scotland
in 1937.
He
played three times for the British Lions
Date
|
Opposition
|
Venue
|
Attendance
|
Result
|
Score (HT)
|
6th Aug 1938
|
South Africa
|
Johannesburg
|
36,000
|
Lost
|
12(9)-26(13)
|
3rd Sept 1938
|
South Africa
|
Port Elizabeth
|
20,000
|
Lost
|
3(0)-19(10)
|
10th Sept 1938
|
South Africa
|
Cape Town
|
18,000
|
Won
|
21(3)-16(13)
|
He
scored one try against
South Africa
in the match at
Cape Town
.
The
Ireland
side that played
England
12th Feb 1938 at
Lansdowne Road
, Aleexander seted extreme right. Back Row (L-R): Dr H.Emerson (Pres IRFU),
M.J.Daly (Harlequins), L.McMahon (Blackrock Coll), J.W.S.Irwin (NIFC), J.Megaw
(Richmond & Instonians), R.B.Mayne (Queens University), A.H.Bailey (UC
Dublin), D.B.O'Loughlin (UC Cork). Middle Row: P.Crowe (Blackrock Coll), E.Ryan
(Dolphin), G.J.Morgan (Capt) (Clontarf), S.Walker (Instonians), C.R.A,
Graves
(Wanderers), R.Alexander (NIFC). Front: G.E.Cromey (
Queens
University
), V.J.Lyttle (
Belfast
Collegians & Bedford).
Before
World War 2 he was in the Royal Ulster Constabulary. On the outbreak of war he
joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusilers. While on home leave in 1942 he captained
Ireland
in a friendly game against the British Army. It was his last game for his
country.
He
was killed in action near
Catania
,
Sicily
on 19th July 1943 while leading his troops in an attack on the
Simento
River
. A fellow officer, David Cole, said Bob
passed me on the way. I wished him luck. He paused for a second and whispered to
me with a smile, ‘It’s suicide’, and then went on.
He
is buried at the Catania War Cemetery, Sicily
Major Herbert James Michael
Sayers 6th
December 1943
Royal
Artillery
He
was born 1st May 1911 the son of Sir Frederick Sayers, C.I.E., and of
Lady Sayers (nee Boyan), of Newtown, Co.
Waterford
. He was educated at
Stonyhurst
College
and
Sandhurst
.
He
played rugby for Lansdowne, the Army,
Richmond
, the Barbarians and
Surrey
.
He
married Sheilah Joan Sayers.
He
played ten times for
Ireland
between 1935 and 1939.
Date
|
Opposition
|
Venue
|
Attendance
|
Result
|
Score (HT)
|
9th Feb 1935
|
England
|
Twickenham
|
|
Lost
|
3(0)-14(5)
|
23rd Feb 1935
|
Scotland
|
Lansdowne
Road,
Ireland
|
|
Won
|
12(3)-5(5)
|
9th Mar 1935
|
Wales
|
Ravenhill,
Belfast
|
35,000
|
Won
|
9(6)-3(0)
|
8th Feb 1936
|
England
|
Lansdowne
Road,
Ireland
|
36,000
|
Won
|
6(0)-3(3)
|
22nd Feb 1936
|
Scotland
|
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
|
|
Won
|
10(10)-4(0)
|
14th Mar 1936
|
Wales
|
National Stadium,
Cardiff
|
70,000
|
Lost
|
0(0)-3(3)
|
12th Mar 1938
|
Wales
|
Swansea
|
40,000
|
Lost
|
5(5)-11(3)
|
11th Feb 1939
|
England
|
Twickenham
|
|
Won
|
5-0
|
25th Feb 1939
|
Scotland
|
Lansdowne
Road,
Ireland
|
|
Won
|
12(9)-3(0)
|
11th Mar 1939
|
Wales
|
Belfast
|
28,000
|
Lost
|
0-7
|

Above the 1939 Irish side
that played
Scotland
. Sayers standing second left. He scored a goal from a mark in this match.
He
was killed in an air crash on 6th December 1943. He is buried at
Aylesbury
Cemetery
, Buckinghamshire.
He
is listed as a Canadian War Dead.
See
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/searching-someone-military-genealogy/21194-royal-artillery-roll-honour-1939-47-a-47.html
http://sites.google.com/site/caseybooks/
http://www.cliftonrfchistory.co.uk/
with
the assistance of and thanks to Willow Murray IRFU, Paul McCandless
Irish
War Memorials http://www.irishwarmemorials.ie
Statistics
www.scrum.com
|