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 Blakiston, Sir Arthur Frederick Bt MC played for England and the British Isles England Internationals: 17: 1920 S+ ; 1921 W+ I+ (1t) S+ F+ (1t) ; 1922 W- ; 1923 S+ F+ ; 1924 W+ I+ F+ S+ ; 1925 NZ- W+ W+ I= S- F+ ; British Isles Internationals: 4 : 1924 SA SA- SA- SA= SA- Arthur Blakiston was born on 16 June 1892 Played as a Lock/Flanker for: Bedford School, Trent College, Cambridge University, Northampton, Liverpool, Blackheath, Barbarians, East Midlands, Lancashire, Surrey Profession: Farmer in Shropshire and Wiltshire. War service: Trooper, King Edward’s Horse; Temporary Lieutenant, “D” Battery, 149th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, later Captain; wounded. MC Gazetted 2 December 1918: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When a convoy of ammunition wagons of which he was in charge, was heavily shelled and suffered several casualties, he succeeded in removing all the wounded men, under continuous shell fire, and by his coolness and initiative prevented further casualties among the convoy.” Remarks: Played for Barbarians: v Penarth (10-12), v Cardiff (6-12), v Swansea (3-14), v Cardiff *(5-6) and v Leicester (6-8) in 1920; v Leicester (3-3) in 1922; v Leicester* (5-3) in 1923; v Cardiff (23-18), v Swansea (9-11), v Neath (11-11) in 1924; v Leicester (9-14) in 1925; and v East Midlands* (8-4) in 1928. * = captain. Inherited father’s baronetcy 1941 He died in February 1974
Sir Arthur Frederick ‘AF’ Blakiston (1892 - 1974) Arthur Blakiston joined Trent College in March 1903. Before leaving school in 1908, he had served as a School Monitor and Librarian, and had proved to be an excellent sportsman. AF Blakiston then went to Emmanuel College, Cambridge. His career was interrupted by the Great War, during which he served as a trooper in the King Edward’s Horse and later, as a Captain in the RAF. As well as playing for Liverpool, the East Midlands and the Barbarians during his rugby days, Blakiston joined Blackheath Rugby Football Club (the world’s oldest open rugby club), where he proved his prowess on the field and was selected as a Forward for the England team. AF Blakiston received 17 caps for England, two of which are on long term loan to the School - one cap was awarded to Blakiston for the first British Lions Tour to South Africa in 1924; the other cap was for his playing record with England between 1920 and 1925, during which time he played 17 games, won 13 and drew one. From 1925 to 1926, Blakiston was Captain of the Northampton rugby team. He also played for Lancashire County. Sir AF Blakiston became a Seventh Baronet in 1941. He died in Bedford in 1974 at the age of 81.
Sir Arthur Frederick Blakiston, 7th Bt. was born on 16 June 1892. He was the son of Frederick Turnly Blakiston and Eleanor Isabella Fitzgerald. He married, firstly, May Walton Fuller, daughter of Frederick Walton Fuller, in April 1915. He married, secondly, Ann Hope Percival Jeans, daughter of Purcell Cooke Jeans, on 18 May 1954. Sir Arthur Frederick Blakiston, 7th Bt. was educated at Bedford College, London, England. He graduated from Emmanuel College, Cambridge University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). He fought in the First World War. He gained the rank of Lieutenant in the service of the Royal Field Artillery. He was decorated with the award of Military Cross (M.C.) in 1918. He succeeded to the title of 7th Baronet Blakiston, of London [G.B., 1763] on 12 August 1941. He was Master of the Foxhounds between 1946 and 1948 at Shropshire, England. He was Master of the Foxhounds between 1948 and 1952 at Wylye Valley, Shropshire, England. He was Master of the Foxhounds in 1952 at Hampshire, England. He died on 31 January 1974 at age 81, without issue. http://thepeerage.com/p17137.htm#i171369
