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 Corfe, Arthur Cecil DSO** CdeG played for Australia Internationals: 1 : 1899 GB - Arthur Corfe was born on 12 December 1877, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Played as a Forward for: Christ’s College, Toowoomba Grammar School, Past Grammars, Queensland. Played for Queensland v NSW in 1898 and 1899, and v Great Britain in 1899. Profession: The Army Remarks: Served in the South African War as 119 Private in the 3rd Queensland Mounted Infantry Contingent, and later as adjutant to the 10th New Zealand Contingent. His brother Duncan Corfe played for Sydney University and for NSW v Queensland in 1901. War service: Major, South African Defence Force. Temporary Lieutenant Colonel, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment; awarded DSO and two bars, and Croix de Guerre. He was wounded twice. On 23 March 1918 he was taken prisoner, being repatriated on 18 December 1918. DSO Gazetted 4 June 1917. The citation for the first bar to his DSO in the Gazette of 9 January 1918: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of his battalion. By the prompt and skilful measures which he took on encountering serious opposition, he was able to attain his objective, and by his personal example and cheerfulness the moral of his men was maintained during a very trying period and under most adverse weather conditions.” The citation for his second bar was in the Gazette of 19 March 1918: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of his battalion during an attack. The assaulting troops in front were checked by heavy rifle fire from a strong point. He at once went forward, and by his inspiring presence and personal leadership reduced the strong point and killed the occupants. He was severely wounded, but continued to advance until exhausted from loss of blood. His splendid example was of the highest value at a critical moment.” This action near Zandvoorde during the Third Battle of Ypres on 20 September 1917 is described by Sapper Albert Martin, 41st Signal Company, Royal Engineers: “The Hants could get no further. They had lost all their officers and a great many men. Colonel Corfe of the Kents tried to rally the men but was soon hit by a bullet in the shoulder, but he held on until the post had been outflanked. Then he collapsed.” He died on 30 July 1949, in England
London Gazette 20th September 1915. The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) Major Arthur C. Corfe, Defence Force, Union of South Africa, to be temporary Major. Dated 3rd September, 1915. London Gazette 22nd March 1918. AWARDED A SECOND BAR TO THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER Maj. (T./Lt.-Col.) Arthur Cecil Corfe, D.S.O., S.A. Def. Force and Royal West Kent Regiment. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of his battalion during an attack. The assaulting troops in front were checked by heavy rifle fire from, a strong point. He at once went forward, and by his inspiring presence and personal leadership reduced the strong point and killed the occupants. He was severely wounded, but continued to advance until exhausted from loss of blood. His splendid example was of the highest value at a critical moment
Also heres some information about the Boer War !! Third (Queensland Mounted Infantry) Contingent Departed: March 1, 1900 Returned: June 7, 1901 http://members.iinet.net.au/~perthdps/military/bor-qld3.htm South African 'Boer' War - Embarkation Database The 10th New Zealand Contingent, known as the "Trusty Tenth", embarked from South Island on the SS “Norfolk”, 19 April 1902. Arthur Cecil Corfe Reg No: 0 Surname: Corfe Given Names: Arthur Cecil Unit: South Island Regiment - Regimental Staff Rank: Captain and Adjutant Contingent: Tenth Ship: Norfolk 19 April 1902 Occupation: Bank Officer County/City: Christchurch Address: Bank of New South Wales Christchurch Next of Kin: Corfe Mr Charles C Next of Kin Address: Christchurch Relationship to Soldier: Father
Snippets .... CORFE, Lt Col A G, Sth African Defence Force, Royal West Kent Regt, old boy of Christ’s College – DSO and two Bars. AUCKLAND WEEKLY NEWS - 24 JANUARY 1918 http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&q=.../558/page.pdf Corfe, Arthur Cecil&hl=en&gl=us Medal card of Corfe, A C South African Defence Force/Royal West Kent Regiment Major/Temporary Lieutenant Colonel Date 1914-1920 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=6713280 Brigadier General A. C. Corfe (TGS 1890-1896) The School's first international sportsman, representing Australian in Rugby Union in 1899. Later he joined the British Army and eventually became a member of the League of Nations Commission. http://www.twgs.qld.edu.au/Cadets/History of the Unit.htm
Annie Many thanks. I wonder what he he considered to be his nationality: New Zealand, Australian, South African? Gareth
