He’d overcome everything life had thrown at him. In fact he was used to it by now; but it never weakened his resolve or passion for his country. Nor did it dampen his desire to be the best.
Growing up, he was always a big lad; it was almost a natural progression that he’d end up playing Rugby. Like many Rugby players of his generation, he was an avid boxer. However he soon realised he was more than an aficionado, he was genuinely gifted.
He progressed seamlessly through the amateur boxing ranks to attain the New Zealand Amateur Heavyweight Championship. It was of no surprise that he was regarded as one of his generation’s best prop forwards in Rugby.
However, one fateful day in 1910, he was alleged to have kicked an opponent in a maul. The prefects running the game looked down on this behaviour sternly and subsequently suspended him from the game for two years.
Never one to give up, he crossed codes to the new professional game; Northern Union. Within a year of plying his trade in the 13 man game he was invited by the Australian Rugby League to join them on their upcoming tour to England, at the end of the 1911 season. He happily accepted.
Charlie Savory wasn’t the only Kiwi touring England with the Australian Kangaroo’s. He was joined by fellow forwards Arthur ‘Boller’ Francis and George Gillett, and by halfback Frank Woodward.
On the tour Savory was a delight, widely praised for his singing ability as much as his rugged, no-nonsense, tough play on the field.
Upon returning home from the tour, Savory became a leading prop forward in the New Zealand local competitions. But his constant run-ins with the judiciary tainted his reputation, so much so that he was mistakenly identified as kicking an opponent in a game in 1912. The Auckland Rugby League promptly banned him from the game for life; however he was granted an appeal by the New Zealand Rugby League and was exonerated.
Still, he forged on. In 1914 he made his test debut for his beloved New Zealand against England. The Kiwis lost 16-13, running out of time as they fought their way back from an 11-3 deficit at half-time.
But his toughest test was just around the corner.
Again, playing against a crafty opponent on their home ground, he knew once again he would have to lead the way for his team mates, as he had done in every contest prior.
The journey to the fateful battle was slow and cumbersome. It was cold and wet. The sky was bleak. Even Mother Nature was against them.
He’d been here many times before. He wasn’t about to let it get the better of him now.
He looked at his team; they were all silent, committed, ready for action. He’d never seen the boys so intense, so focussed. He knew they’d be giving their all. He couldn’t give any less himself either.
The journey ended and they all disembarked their taxi and made way for the field.
The damp footing grabbed his attention first; things couldn’t get any worse surely.
He looked ahead with a grim determination, preparing himself for another bruising encounter. In what seemed like no time at all, it was game on.
He could hear the cheering, jeering and buzzing atmosphere all around that broke an almost eerie silence which had encapsulated them all just moments ago.
Unnervingly, he put his hand up to lead the way, his prized possession right now, sitting firmly in his hands as he charged forward at great speed. His large muscular solid frame intent on causing some hurt.
Then the defence hit him from out of nowhere. He didn’t feel the pain at first, just the oxygen being sucked from his lungs.
He kept trying to run but his feet felt stuck in the heavy earth. Then they hit him once more, bringing him down.
Never before had he been dominated so easily in a physical encounter, these were truly worthy adversaries.
He rolled onto his back, his mind willing him to stand up.
He rose to his knees, slowly regaining his feet. Then the pain began rapidly infecting his body. As he clutched at the pain in his chest and looked down at his bloodied hands, he was shot again, for the last time, in the head.
Lance Corporal Charles Savory died at Gallipoli that day, May 8, 1915.
Lest We Forget
Showing posts with label World War. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World War. Show all posts
Sunday, 7 August 2011
Rugby League - A Love Story (2010)
It is the year 1907 and a bitter rift within the playing ranks of the Australian Rugby Union has seen the creation of a rebel game. A group of over two hundred players have turned their back on Union to start the new game. Rugby League.
One of these men was Albert Rosenfeld. At just 23 years of age, he took a gamble to play the new code and risk the opportunity to become a Wallaby. The young half/threequarter from Randwick was one of the first players to team up alongside Dally Messenger for Eastern Suburbs.
The inaugural season started off well. Fans loved the more open and faster game and as curiousity grew within the community, so did the crowds.
Rosenfeld’s early season form saw him earn a spot in the inaugural New South Wales team to play Queensland, who eventually ran out convincing winners in the series. Rosenfeld was selected to play in the test series against the visiting New Zealand side.
At the end of the debut season, Souths pipped Easts in the final 14-12. Rosenfeld was one of the players in the runners-up team that day. After the final, a squad of 35 players were selected to tour England. Rosenfeld's form that season ensured him a place on the RMS Macedonia, bound for the motherland.
The pioneering Kangaroo’s arrival in England received almost no interest initially. The Australian's had minimal time to prepare for their first of 45 matches on the tour that lasted seven months.
The Kangaroo’s were forced to play games in South England, a predominantly Rugby Union stronghold, partly to exhibit the new game in a hope of attracting more interest from the south, and because of a major strike in the mines in the North of England, which meant a lot of the public were poor and unable to afford to go to the games.
As great a player Albert Rosenfeld was, he remembers this tour, not for his or the teams performances, nor for the good and bad times they endured, but because it brought him to Ethel Barrand, a girl from Huddersfield whom he quickly fell in love with.
Rosenfeld continued playing on the tour, but his life was now up in the air. Does he go back home to his family and friends? Does he ask Ethel to come with him? Does he stay in England? If so, will he ever see his family and friends again?
In 1907 Rosenfeld took a risk, that Rugby League was the game for him and his future, and now, one year later, he had been gifted another great opportunity, and another tough decision.
He proposed to Ethel and she accepted. Rosenfeld then signed a contract to play with Huddersfield at the end of the tour. Albert and Ethel married soon after.
In 1911, playing on the wing, instead of his preferred position of five-eighth, Rosenfeld achieved his, and the game’s greatest feat; scoring 80 tries in the season, a record that has not been bettered in 100 years, and will most-likely never be broken.
The only player to come close to his record was another legendary Australian winger, Brian Bevan, who scored 72 tries in the 1952-53 season.
Rosenfeld played for Huddersfield for another four years before he made yet another tough decision, to serve England in the Great War in 1916. Rosenfeld served in the British Army for three years, the most notable battle he fought in was the Mesopotamian campaign, fought in the Middle East.
He was discharged in 1919 and almost immediately returned to Rugby League, playing up until 1924 when he finally retired, at the young age of 39.
He worked as a van driver in and around Huddersfield after his retirement from the game for many years, content to live a quiet and happy life with his wife and family.
Sadly, in 1970 he passed away at the age of 85. He was the last surviving member of the 1908-09 Kangaroos tour party.
However, he died a happy man, a man who lived the tough decisions, who survived the worst that life could dish up to anyone, who fearlessly made huge sacrifices in his own life to find true happiness.
He was a man who died, lucky to have had two great loves in life, his wife Ethel and the very thing that brought them together.
Rugby League.
One of these men was Albert Rosenfeld. At just 23 years of age, he took a gamble to play the new code and risk the opportunity to become a Wallaby. The young half/threequarter from Randwick was one of the first players to team up alongside Dally Messenger for Eastern Suburbs.
The inaugural season started off well. Fans loved the more open and faster game and as curiousity grew within the community, so did the crowds.
Rosenfeld’s early season form saw him earn a spot in the inaugural New South Wales team to play Queensland, who eventually ran out convincing winners in the series. Rosenfeld was selected to play in the test series against the visiting New Zealand side.
At the end of the debut season, Souths pipped Easts in the final 14-12. Rosenfeld was one of the players in the runners-up team that day. After the final, a squad of 35 players were selected to tour England. Rosenfeld's form that season ensured him a place on the RMS Macedonia, bound for the motherland.
The pioneering Kangaroo’s arrival in England received almost no interest initially. The Australian's had minimal time to prepare for their first of 45 matches on the tour that lasted seven months.
The Kangaroo’s were forced to play games in South England, a predominantly Rugby Union stronghold, partly to exhibit the new game in a hope of attracting more interest from the south, and because of a major strike in the mines in the North of England, which meant a lot of the public were poor and unable to afford to go to the games.
As great a player Albert Rosenfeld was, he remembers this tour, not for his or the teams performances, nor for the good and bad times they endured, but because it brought him to Ethel Barrand, a girl from Huddersfield whom he quickly fell in love with.
Rosenfeld continued playing on the tour, but his life was now up in the air. Does he go back home to his family and friends? Does he ask Ethel to come with him? Does he stay in England? If so, will he ever see his family and friends again?
In 1907 Rosenfeld took a risk, that Rugby League was the game for him and his future, and now, one year later, he had been gifted another great opportunity, and another tough decision.
He proposed to Ethel and she accepted. Rosenfeld then signed a contract to play with Huddersfield at the end of the tour. Albert and Ethel married soon after.
In 1911, playing on the wing, instead of his preferred position of five-eighth, Rosenfeld achieved his, and the game’s greatest feat; scoring 80 tries in the season, a record that has not been bettered in 100 years, and will most-likely never be broken.
The only player to come close to his record was another legendary Australian winger, Brian Bevan, who scored 72 tries in the 1952-53 season.
Rosenfeld played for Huddersfield for another four years before he made yet another tough decision, to serve England in the Great War in 1916. Rosenfeld served in the British Army for three years, the most notable battle he fought in was the Mesopotamian campaign, fought in the Middle East.
He was discharged in 1919 and almost immediately returned to Rugby League, playing up until 1924 when he finally retired, at the young age of 39.
He worked as a van driver in and around Huddersfield after his retirement from the game for many years, content to live a quiet and happy life with his wife and family.
Sadly, in 1970 he passed away at the age of 85. He was the last surviving member of the 1908-09 Kangaroos tour party.
However, he died a happy man, a man who lived the tough decisions, who survived the worst that life could dish up to anyone, who fearlessly made huge sacrifices in his own life to find true happiness.
He was a man who died, lucky to have had two great loves in life, his wife Ethel and the very thing that brought them together.
Rugby League.
The Unknown Heroes (2010)
The term hero gets bandied about far too frequently and undeservedly nowadays.
Hero, by definition, is someone of distinguished courage or ability, admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities. Someone, who in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed an heroic act and is thus regarded as a model or idol.
Such features are not befitting many, if any, of today’s modern footballers. However Rugby League has produced some magnificent heroic men.
Unfortunately, these names will be unknown to almost everyone who reads this.
Spencer Walklate (St.George 1943 – 15 games)
Walklate showed great promise in his only season of First Grade. He joined the army as a Private in 1943. He quickly obtained the rank of Lance Corporal. He was selected as a member of an elite Special Operations Group of just eight men, Unit 'Z'. Their mission was to enter Muschu Island, off the coast of New Guinea, which was heavily occupied by Japanese forces, and confirm the location of two concealed naval guns. It is presumed that Walklate was found and executed by the Japanese soldiers on the island.
Neville Butler (North Sydney 1940, 1943 – 13 games)
Neville Butler represented NSW in one match in 1938 before moving to first grade with North Sydney in 1940. He was a well decorated airman who was involved in a number of key battles in Europe. He was declared Missing in Action after a massive air raid by German forces in 1944, before he was later declared dead.
Syd Christensen (Glebe 1928-29, Balmain 1930, 1933-37 – 68 games)
Christensen was 30 when he entered the Second World War. His career in Rugby League was lengthy without being rewarding. He managed an exhibition game as a guest player in the Queensland side against West Dubbo in 1930. He joined the Army in June 1940. He served briefly before being captured and held in the infamous Changi Prison. After his release he went missing before being declared Killed in Action in 1942.
Gordon Hart (St.George 1938-41 – 42 games)
Hart was a winger for St.George who managed to gain selection for NSW in 1940. He enlisted with the Army in 1940, however during his service he was able to gain special permission to leave his military camp to play for St.George in their debut premiership victory in 1941. Hart scored a try in what was to be his last match. He went on to obtain the rank of Captain in the 2/4 Commando Squadron and was awarded a Mention in Dispatches for Gallant and Distinguished services as well as for Conspicuous Bravery.
George Carstairs (St.George 1921-29 – 78 games)
Carstairs had served as a Private in the 1st battalion during the Great War. Upon his return to shore after the War was declared over, he turned to Rugby League, making his debut for St.George in their debut season in 1921. He is most famous in the Dragon’s annals as being their first Tryscorer in a premiership match. Carstairs was also the centre of what became known as the Earl Park Riot. He went on to play 2 tests on the Kangaroos 1921-22 Tour to England (as well as 17 tour matches). Upon his retirement from first grade, he moved to rural New South Wales before rejoining the Army. He rose to the rank of Lance Sergeant and was prematurely reported as Killed in Action while fighting in the Middle East; however he actually survived yet another war. He died in November 1966, on the same day as former Test hooker Arthur Folwell.
Frank Cheadle (Newtown 1908-10 – 16 games)
Cheadle was one of the few rebel Rugby Union players from Newtown who played against the New Zealand All-Golds in 1907, before turning professional in 1908. He played for Australia against New Zealand in 1908 before gaining selection on the 1908-09 Kangaroo Tour of England. He only played 7 games on the tour. He played his last test against New Zealand in 1909.
Cheadle then joined the Army in January 1915 and was sent to Egypt for training before serving at Gallipoli shortly after. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant within his first two months of service. He was wounded while fighting at Gallipoli. He was promoted to Lieutenant upon disembarking to Marseilles where he met his fate when killed while fighting in France in May 1916.
These men, ladies and gentlemen, are your heroes.
Hero, by definition, is someone of distinguished courage or ability, admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities. Someone, who in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed an heroic act and is thus regarded as a model or idol.
Such features are not befitting many, if any, of today’s modern footballers. However Rugby League has produced some magnificent heroic men.
Unfortunately, these names will be unknown to almost everyone who reads this.
Spencer Walklate (St.George 1943 – 15 games)
Walklate showed great promise in his only season of First Grade. He joined the army as a Private in 1943. He quickly obtained the rank of Lance Corporal. He was selected as a member of an elite Special Operations Group of just eight men, Unit 'Z'. Their mission was to enter Muschu Island, off the coast of New Guinea, which was heavily occupied by Japanese forces, and confirm the location of two concealed naval guns. It is presumed that Walklate was found and executed by the Japanese soldiers on the island.
Neville Butler (North Sydney 1940, 1943 – 13 games)
Neville Butler represented NSW in one match in 1938 before moving to first grade with North Sydney in 1940. He was a well decorated airman who was involved in a number of key battles in Europe. He was declared Missing in Action after a massive air raid by German forces in 1944, before he was later declared dead.
Syd Christensen (Glebe 1928-29, Balmain 1930, 1933-37 – 68 games)
Christensen was 30 when he entered the Second World War. His career in Rugby League was lengthy without being rewarding. He managed an exhibition game as a guest player in the Queensland side against West Dubbo in 1930. He joined the Army in June 1940. He served briefly before being captured and held in the infamous Changi Prison. After his release he went missing before being declared Killed in Action in 1942.
Gordon Hart (St.George 1938-41 – 42 games)
Hart was a winger for St.George who managed to gain selection for NSW in 1940. He enlisted with the Army in 1940, however during his service he was able to gain special permission to leave his military camp to play for St.George in their debut premiership victory in 1941. Hart scored a try in what was to be his last match. He went on to obtain the rank of Captain in the 2/4 Commando Squadron and was awarded a Mention in Dispatches for Gallant and Distinguished services as well as for Conspicuous Bravery.
George Carstairs (St.George 1921-29 – 78 games)
Carstairs had served as a Private in the 1st battalion during the Great War. Upon his return to shore after the War was declared over, he turned to Rugby League, making his debut for St.George in their debut season in 1921. He is most famous in the Dragon’s annals as being their first Tryscorer in a premiership match. Carstairs was also the centre of what became known as the Earl Park Riot. He went on to play 2 tests on the Kangaroos 1921-22 Tour to England (as well as 17 tour matches). Upon his retirement from first grade, he moved to rural New South Wales before rejoining the Army. He rose to the rank of Lance Sergeant and was prematurely reported as Killed in Action while fighting in the Middle East; however he actually survived yet another war. He died in November 1966, on the same day as former Test hooker Arthur Folwell.
Frank Cheadle (Newtown 1908-10 – 16 games)
Cheadle was one of the few rebel Rugby Union players from Newtown who played against the New Zealand All-Golds in 1907, before turning professional in 1908. He played for Australia against New Zealand in 1908 before gaining selection on the 1908-09 Kangaroo Tour of England. He only played 7 games on the tour. He played his last test against New Zealand in 1909.
Cheadle then joined the Army in January 1915 and was sent to Egypt for training before serving at Gallipoli shortly after. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant within his first two months of service. He was wounded while fighting at Gallipoli. He was promoted to Lieutenant upon disembarking to Marseilles where he met his fate when killed while fighting in France in May 1916.
These men, ladies and gentlemen, are your heroes.
A True Team Of Champions (2008)
This season our game has celebrated the playing skills and talents of players from the past and present. However, there has not been a team named containing some of the most important men of our game, and more importantly, our nation.
These men served as great players at representative level in Rugby League, but more importantly, as servicemen for our country during the two World Wars.
I present, the Servicemen Team Of The Century.
Fullback: Neville Butler
Neville played in the successful Norths teams in the early 1940’s after he was selected for NSW in 1938. Neville was declared as “missing in action” after an air raid over Europe during World War II.
Wing: Brian Bevan
Although his performances in Australia were limited to just a handful of games, his career in England has been unrivalled. Bevan left Easts to serve in the Navy during World War II before commencing his career in England.
Centre: Len Smith
Len served as a Captain in the Army during the Second World War, seeing action in Egypt, New Guinea, Palestine and Syria. His trivial sacking from the Test team in 1948 has unfortunately overshadowed his great career.
Centre: Doug McRitchie
Doug’s career was just one season old before he left to fight in New Guinea and Bougainville during World War II. Upon his return he quickly made his way into State and National sides.
Wing: Lionel Cooper
Lionel was discovered by fellow serviceman, Ray Stehr, playing AFL in Darwin while waiting to be dispatched. Ray lured Lionel to play for Easts after the war. His two seasons saw him instantly earning state and national selection before he moved to England to see out his career.
Five-Eighth: Keith Holman
‘Yappy’ is the most capped representative player in this team. He played 65 games for NSW and Australia alone. Keith served in the RAAF during World War II, before joining Wests and becoming one the greatest players the game has ever seen.
Halfback: Duncan Thompson
Duncan is the only man in this squad, maybe even the only man in Australian Rugby League, who served in both World Wars. In the First War, he was shot through the back and chest, the shell remaining in his body for the rest of his life, while fighting at Dernacourt in France. His playing career was short but it was exceptional. He played in the Premiership winning Norths teams of 1921 and 1922, before leading Toowoomba to glory the following few years. Up until 1980 he was still regarded as the greatest halfback Australia has ever had.
Lock: Les Cowie
Les ‘put his age up’ so as to gain entry into the Army in 1942. After serving he joined Souths and forged out a successful career as the codes premier back rower during the late 1940’s.
Second Row: Fred De Belin
Fred served with the RAAF in World War II. He played Rugby Union for service teams, as well as being a renowned wrestler. He switched codes to play for Balmain at the end of the war, where he quickly gained selection for NSW and later, Australia.
Second Row: Herb Narvo
Herb was one of the games most talented athletes. He was a cricketer, cyclist and a one time Australian Heavyweight Boxing Champion. He served as a Paratroop instructor for the RAAF during the Second War. He represented Australia and NSW mostly prior to enlisting in the RAAF. In 1945 he made a return to rep football, playing for NSW.
Prop: Ray Stehr
Ray served in the Army for two years toward the end of his career. He was stationed in Darwin prior to attacks by the Japanese. While there he recruited Lionel Cooper to play for Easts. After the war, he returned to Easts and lead them to a Premiership before retiring.
Hooker: Ken Kearney
‘Killer’ served in the RAAF during World War II. Prior to his enlistment, he had played 7 Tests for the Wallabies. When he returned to Australia, he had switched codes, leading St.George to the first 6 of their record 11 straight premierships. He played 25 Tests for Australia between 1952 and 1958.
Prop: Jack Rayner
Jack was actually serving in New Guinea during the Second War when he was spotted playing for the Army team by Eric Lewis. Rayner joined Souths once the war had finished. In that time he became known as one of the greatest captains in the history of the game.
Lest We Forget.
These men served as great players at representative level in Rugby League, but more importantly, as servicemen for our country during the two World Wars.
I present, the Servicemen Team Of The Century.
Fullback: Neville Butler
Neville played in the successful Norths teams in the early 1940’s after he was selected for NSW in 1938. Neville was declared as “missing in action” after an air raid over Europe during World War II.
Wing: Brian Bevan
Although his performances in Australia were limited to just a handful of games, his career in England has been unrivalled. Bevan left Easts to serve in the Navy during World War II before commencing his career in England.
Centre: Len Smith
Len served as a Captain in the Army during the Second World War, seeing action in Egypt, New Guinea, Palestine and Syria. His trivial sacking from the Test team in 1948 has unfortunately overshadowed his great career.
Centre: Doug McRitchie
Doug’s career was just one season old before he left to fight in New Guinea and Bougainville during World War II. Upon his return he quickly made his way into State and National sides.
Wing: Lionel Cooper
Lionel was discovered by fellow serviceman, Ray Stehr, playing AFL in Darwin while waiting to be dispatched. Ray lured Lionel to play for Easts after the war. His two seasons saw him instantly earning state and national selection before he moved to England to see out his career.
Five-Eighth: Keith Holman
‘Yappy’ is the most capped representative player in this team. He played 65 games for NSW and Australia alone. Keith served in the RAAF during World War II, before joining Wests and becoming one the greatest players the game has ever seen.
Halfback: Duncan Thompson
Duncan is the only man in this squad, maybe even the only man in Australian Rugby League, who served in both World Wars. In the First War, he was shot through the back and chest, the shell remaining in his body for the rest of his life, while fighting at Dernacourt in France. His playing career was short but it was exceptional. He played in the Premiership winning Norths teams of 1921 and 1922, before leading Toowoomba to glory the following few years. Up until 1980 he was still regarded as the greatest halfback Australia has ever had.
Lock: Les Cowie
Les ‘put his age up’ so as to gain entry into the Army in 1942. After serving he joined Souths and forged out a successful career as the codes premier back rower during the late 1940’s.
Second Row: Fred De Belin
Fred served with the RAAF in World War II. He played Rugby Union for service teams, as well as being a renowned wrestler. He switched codes to play for Balmain at the end of the war, where he quickly gained selection for NSW and later, Australia.
Second Row: Herb Narvo
Herb was one of the games most talented athletes. He was a cricketer, cyclist and a one time Australian Heavyweight Boxing Champion. He served as a Paratroop instructor for the RAAF during the Second War. He represented Australia and NSW mostly prior to enlisting in the RAAF. In 1945 he made a return to rep football, playing for NSW.
Prop: Ray Stehr
Ray served in the Army for two years toward the end of his career. He was stationed in Darwin prior to attacks by the Japanese. While there he recruited Lionel Cooper to play for Easts. After the war, he returned to Easts and lead them to a Premiership before retiring.
Hooker: Ken Kearney
‘Killer’ served in the RAAF during World War II. Prior to his enlistment, he had played 7 Tests for the Wallabies. When he returned to Australia, he had switched codes, leading St.George to the first 6 of their record 11 straight premierships. He played 25 Tests for Australia between 1952 and 1958.
Prop: Jack Rayner
Jack was actually serving in New Guinea during the Second War when he was spotted playing for the Army team by Eric Lewis. Rayner joined Souths once the war had finished. In that time he became known as one of the greatest captains in the history of the game.
Lest We Forget.
The Downs Fox (2008)
He had a brain for rugby league, creative, speedy, successful and spent most of his life with a bullet in his chest. He was Duncan Thompson.
Thompson was born in Warwick, Queensland on March 14, 1895. He joined the Australian Bank of Commerce in 1911. While at Ipswich he represented Combined Country in 1913 and Queensland in 1915.
In 1915 as War broke out, Thompson wanted to serve his country, but his mother prohibited it. In 1916, his job transferred him to Sydney, where he was immediately snapped up by the ailing Norths.
At the end of 1916, Duncan returned to Queensland where he enlisted with the Australian Imperial Forces. He was shot through the chest in the battle of Dernancourt in 1917, but miraculously survived.
He was informed by doctors that a bullet was still lodged in his chest and would no longer be able to play sport.
Thompson continued playing, lining up for Ipswich and Queensland in 1919. He earned a place in the first Australian Test team to tour New Zealand. On tour Thompson replaced Arthur Halloway in the Third Test, which Australia won 34-23. He was then selected at halfback for the fourth test, which Australia won 32-2.
He relocated to Newcastle in 1920 and played for Newcastle Wests before moving back to Norths. Thompson captained NSW in his first game against his beloved Queensland in 1921.
In 1921, Norths finished the season undefeated, claiming their first premiership. At the end of the 1921 season, Thompson was selected in the Australian squad to tour England.
In 1922 Norths were sporting the most impressive backline in the competition, with Harold Horder, Cec Blinkhorn, Duncan Thompson, Herman Peters, Frank Rule and Dallas Hodgins. Norths annihilated Glebe 35-3 in the 1922 Premiership Final.
In 1923, Norths struggled to dominate the competition, but it was their Round 14 clash with Glebe at the SCG that proved most damaging. Thompson was sent off for allegedly kicking Glebe forward Tom McGrath. The NSWRL judiciary found Thompson guilty and suspended him for the rest of the season.
Spectators claimed the incident was an accident. Thompson was held back illegally after passing the ball and was trying to free himself when he accidentally struck McGrath in the face.
Thompson appealed the suspension and it was reduced but not overturned. Thompson was so angered by the decision that he vowed never to play in Sydney again.
Thompson moved back to Toowoomba and opened a sports store. Despite Thompson’s self-exile from the Sydney competition, he was still selected in the last two tests against England of 1924. Thompson played for Queensland again in 1924 and 1925.
Thompson’s arrival to Toowoomba brought immediate success. In 1924 he played for Toowoomba on a contract worth ₤400 a year. In his first two years there, Toowoomba were deemed the greatest team in Rugby League.
In 1924 Toowoomba beat England (23-20), Ipswich (21-10, 31-8 and 33-18), NSW (16-0) and Victoria (47-18). In 1925 the undefeated run continued with victories over Brisbane (30-7 and 22-3), Ipswich (18-13, 51-17 and 3 all) and New Zealand (16-14). The final match of the year was against the 1925 undefeated Sydney premiers Souths, to declare the greatest team in Australia.
Toowoomba won 12-5.
1925 saw Toowoomba claim the first Bulimba Cup, a competition played between representative sides from Brisbane, Ipswich and Toowoomba. They won every honour that was available to them.
At the end of the 1925 season Thompson retired from Rugby League and took up tennis, lawn bowls and golf (where he had a handicap of 3).
He returned to national service in the Second World War serving as an amenities officer in Townsville and Papua New Guinea.
In 1951 Thompson accepted a role as Toowoomba coach, instantly leading Toowoomba to six consecutive Bulimba Cup titles from 1951-56.
Thompson gave away his coaching role to take on administrative duties with the QRL, before becoming a Test selector in the late 1950's.
In 1960 Duncan Thompson was awarded an MBE for services to Rugby League. He became a respected commentator on the Rugby League world for many years during and after his role as Test selector.
On May 17, 1980 Duncan Thompson passed away at a hospital in Auchenflower.
Thompson is one of the few sportsmen to have two grandstands named after him, one at Toowoomba and the other at North Sydney Oval.
His sports store closed not long after he died.
Now, the Duncan Thompson stand at Toowoomba watches only soccer.
Thompson was born in Warwick, Queensland on March 14, 1895. He joined the Australian Bank of Commerce in 1911. While at Ipswich he represented Combined Country in 1913 and Queensland in 1915.
In 1915 as War broke out, Thompson wanted to serve his country, but his mother prohibited it. In 1916, his job transferred him to Sydney, where he was immediately snapped up by the ailing Norths.
At the end of 1916, Duncan returned to Queensland where he enlisted with the Australian Imperial Forces. He was shot through the chest in the battle of Dernancourt in 1917, but miraculously survived.
He was informed by doctors that a bullet was still lodged in his chest and would no longer be able to play sport.
Thompson continued playing, lining up for Ipswich and Queensland in 1919. He earned a place in the first Australian Test team to tour New Zealand. On tour Thompson replaced Arthur Halloway in the Third Test, which Australia won 34-23. He was then selected at halfback for the fourth test, which Australia won 32-2.
He relocated to Newcastle in 1920 and played for Newcastle Wests before moving back to Norths. Thompson captained NSW in his first game against his beloved Queensland in 1921.
In 1921, Norths finished the season undefeated, claiming their first premiership. At the end of the 1921 season, Thompson was selected in the Australian squad to tour England.
In 1922 Norths were sporting the most impressive backline in the competition, with Harold Horder, Cec Blinkhorn, Duncan Thompson, Herman Peters, Frank Rule and Dallas Hodgins. Norths annihilated Glebe 35-3 in the 1922 Premiership Final.
In 1923, Norths struggled to dominate the competition, but it was their Round 14 clash with Glebe at the SCG that proved most damaging. Thompson was sent off for allegedly kicking Glebe forward Tom McGrath. The NSWRL judiciary found Thompson guilty and suspended him for the rest of the season.
Spectators claimed the incident was an accident. Thompson was held back illegally after passing the ball and was trying to free himself when he accidentally struck McGrath in the face.
Thompson appealed the suspension and it was reduced but not overturned. Thompson was so angered by the decision that he vowed never to play in Sydney again.
Thompson moved back to Toowoomba and opened a sports store. Despite Thompson’s self-exile from the Sydney competition, he was still selected in the last two tests against England of 1924. Thompson played for Queensland again in 1924 and 1925.
Thompson’s arrival to Toowoomba brought immediate success. In 1924 he played for Toowoomba on a contract worth ₤400 a year. In his first two years there, Toowoomba were deemed the greatest team in Rugby League.
In 1924 Toowoomba beat England (23-20), Ipswich (21-10, 31-8 and 33-18), NSW (16-0) and Victoria (47-18). In 1925 the undefeated run continued with victories over Brisbane (30-7 and 22-3), Ipswich (18-13, 51-17 and 3 all) and New Zealand (16-14). The final match of the year was against the 1925 undefeated Sydney premiers Souths, to declare the greatest team in Australia.
Toowoomba won 12-5.
1925 saw Toowoomba claim the first Bulimba Cup, a competition played between representative sides from Brisbane, Ipswich and Toowoomba. They won every honour that was available to them.
At the end of the 1925 season Thompson retired from Rugby League and took up tennis, lawn bowls and golf (where he had a handicap of 3).
He returned to national service in the Second World War serving as an amenities officer in Townsville and Papua New Guinea.
In 1951 Thompson accepted a role as Toowoomba coach, instantly leading Toowoomba to six consecutive Bulimba Cup titles from 1951-56.
Thompson gave away his coaching role to take on administrative duties with the QRL, before becoming a Test selector in the late 1950's.
In 1960 Duncan Thompson was awarded an MBE for services to Rugby League. He became a respected commentator on the Rugby League world for many years during and after his role as Test selector.
On May 17, 1980 Duncan Thompson passed away at a hospital in Auchenflower.
Thompson is one of the few sportsmen to have two grandstands named after him, one at Toowoomba and the other at North Sydney Oval.
His sports store closed not long after he died.
Now, the Duncan Thompson stand at Toowoomba watches only soccer.
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