This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who served in, and survived, The Great War. If anyone has further information on the men concerned, I’d be most grateful if it could be added to the thread. Gareth Cornish, Robert Arthur played for Wales Internationals: 10 : 1923 E- S- ; 1924 E- ; 1925 E- S- (1t) F+ ; 1926 E= S- I+ F+ (1d) Arthur Cornish was born on 30 June 1897. Played as a Centre for: Grangetown Council School, Canton High School, Welsh Schools, Cardiff University, Royal Navy, Cardiff., Newport Profession: Schoolmaster and Headmaster of Lansdowne Road Boys’ School in Cardiff. War service: M19997, Third Writer, Royal Navy; he enrolled at University College, Cardiff in 1915. Remarks: Nephew of Fred Cornish (4 caps for Wales), he was one of four brothers to play for Cardiff, where he scored 149 tries. Fellow player D E Davies described him as “A well built centre, fast and elusive . . . adept at the dummy”. He joined Cardiff in 1914 and played in 267 First XV games, from 1919-1920 to 1932-1933, scoring 149 tries. He was captain in 1921-1922. He also played 6 matches for Newport in 1924-1925 after a dispute with Cardiff. Played in the Centenary Match at Rugby School in 1923. He also played Association football for Cardiff Corinthians. He became Chairman of the WRU selectors. His last international Rugby appearance was as Touch Judge in the Wales v Australia match (6-0) on 20 December 1947. He died on 29 July 1948 in Cardiff.
http://www.rugbyrelics.com/barbarians-rugby.htm Crawshays Welsh RFC is an invitational rugby union team.
There are some photos of him .... but you'll have to have to see if somebody can photocopy them for you somehow ! CARDIFF YESTERDAY NB. This is an INDEX- the photographs themselves are not available for viewing here. http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/GLA/Cardiff/Cardiffyes.html Cornish, Arthur, Cardiff and Wales Rugby Player, Teacher at Grange Council School, 1923, IX-165 Cornish, Arthur, Rugby Player, In Cardiff Past and Present Team, 1946, III-132 Cornish, Arthur, Teacher at Grange Council Boys' School, With Standard 7, 1924, XXXVI-171
Gareth, Arthur was my grandfather, and though he died before I was born I know a fair bit about his life - from stories and records from my farther and grandmother (both now no longer with us). However I do not know a great deal about his WW1 service. What I understand is that he served on HMS Colossus as a Writer for the Admiral of the fleet. If anyone is able to tell me more, or direct me to records, it would be greatly appreciated. I am able to confirm that on the Captain Crawshay’s Welsh 15 team photo, Arthur is sat in front row 2nd from left (as viewed) with legs crossed. Best regards, Jamie Cornish. PS I hope these additional photos will be of interest. Arthur Cornish 1916 Arthur and Dorothy (Mrs Cornish) c.1916 Cardiff RFC c.1921/22. Arthur as Capt. with brother William sat directly in front in front row. Wales v. Scotland - 3 Feb 1923. Arthur to R of Capt. as viewed.
Arthur Thank you very much for the marvellous photographs. It's great to put a face to the name and learn more about the man. Gareth
Hi Jamie and welcome ! What do you already know about Arthur's time on HMS Colossus ? ... do you have a time frame ? would love to hear what you have already .... have you researched the brothers too ? If you'd like to give us some details .... we can see what we can find ! The photos are terrific ..... lucky you ! Annie
Hello and welcome, The service record for Robert Arthur Cornish is held at TNA in piece ADM 188/1057 Hit the link above and follow instructions. This can be downloaded for £3.50. Hope that helps. Regards Hugh
Just bringing this back up to the top for J Cornish who asked about service records. See #9 Regards Hugh
Thank you very much Gareth, Annie and Hugh, I’m sure there will be more items of interest in the family records - I'll have rummage when I get chance. I will also be able to put names to some of the players in the photos above. We do have a small prize cup from a 100 yard dash from the HMS Colossus. Hugh - thank you very much for the link. Best regards, Jamie
Hi Jamie ! I can't wait for you to "rummage" !! ... it's wonderful to have all those treasures ! Hope you are able to learn some more from the service records ! Good Luck ! Annie
Heres Fred too !! Fred Cornish Wales Full name - Frederick Henry Cornish Born - circa 1876, Bridgwater Died - April 27, 1940, Cardiff Major teams - Wales Position - Forward Frederick "Fred" Henry Cornish (1876 – 27 April 1940) was an English-born rugby union forward who played club rugby for Cardiff and international rugby for Wales. Cornish 'Went North' in 1899 switching to rugby league, joining Hull RLFC Born in England in 1876, Cornish is first recorded playing rugby for his hometown club, Bridgwater & Albion. He moved to Wales and joined the Grangetown Stars, but before the end of the century Cornish became a member of first class Welsh team Cardiff RFC, and during the 1896/97 season was selected to play for the Welsh national team, under the two year residancy ruling. Cornish was brought into the pack, along with fellow first caps, Jack Rhapps and Dick Hellings to face England as part of the 1897 Home Nations Championship. Wales won the game in style, but it would be the only international the team would play that year, as an argument broke out between the Home Unions surrounding professionalism, now known as the Gould Affair. The next season, with Arthur Gould now forced into retirement, Wales were readmitted into the Championship. The only two members of the 1897 pack to return for the 1898 Championship were Cornish and Hellings. Despite a large influx of new caps, Cornish was now playing in a Wales squad dominated with his Cardiff team mates; including captain Selwyn Biggs at centre and a threequarters trio of Jones, Nicholls and Huzzey. The Welsh were again victorious winning the opening match against Ireland 11-3, but Cornish found himself in a losing international for the first time when Wales lost to England in the final game of the Championship. Towards the end of the 1897/98 season, Cornish was part of the Cardiff team that faced the touring Barbarians as part of their annual Easter tour. Cardiff won the game 6-0, with Cornish and wing Huzzey scoring a try each. The 1899 Home Nations Championship saw the Welsh selectors again overhaul the pack, with five new caps. Cornish was not among those reselected, which saw a spectacular win over the English team; but after a heavy away defeat to Scotland in the next match, Cornish was back in favour for the Irish encounter at the Cardiff Arms Park. Cornish, brought in as a replacement for Tom Dobson, would play his last international in this match, with Wales losing to a single Gerald Doran try. Cornish may have been selected for further international games, but in August 1899 he switched rugby codes joining Hull rugby league team, preventing his return to the union code of rugby.
