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 Hartley*, Bernard Charles (‘Jock’) CB OBE played for England *= spelt ‘Hartly’ in some sources Internationals: 2 : 1901 S- ; 1902 S+ Bernard Hartley was born on 16 March 1879 Woodford Played as a Forward for: Dulwich College, Cambridge University (Blue 1900), Blackheath, Barbarians, Sussex, Kent, Profession: Stockbroker; the Army War service: Lieutenant, Hertfordshire Regiment, promoted to Major; gassed and wounded. Remarks: Athletics blue (hammer) 1899-1901. Twice rowed for Jesus College at Henley. Played for Barbarians: v Le Havre (41-3) in 1900; v Penarth (14-4) v Newport (3-9) v Swansea (0-11) v Cardiff (0-9) v Newport (0-4) in 1901; v Devonport (0-6) v Cardiff (6-19) v Hartlepool Rovers (3-3) v West Hartlepool (4-25) in 1902; v Swansea (0-28) v Devonport (7-0) v Cardiff (3-41) v Newport (5-17); v Penarth (4-5) v Cardiff (0-8) v Devonport (8-19) v Cardiff (5-27) v Newport (10-6) in 1904. Represented Cambridge University on the RFU 1907-1908 and the Army 1921-1922 and 1928-1948. England selector 1923-1924. Manager British Isles tour to SA 1937. International Board representative 1945-1954. President of the RFU 1947-48. Secretary Army Sports Council Board 1918-1941. OBE 1925. National Playing Fields Association 1926-1946. CB 1946. He died on 24 April 1960
Standing (L-R):E.de Lissa, C.G.Robson, R.S.Wix, A.Brown, A.R.Thompson, E.M.Harrison (Guys Hospital), N.W.Godfrey (Moseley), F.H.Palmer (Richmond), G.Fraser, T.A.Gibson. Seated: E.C.Galloway (Marlborough Nomads), F.M.Stout (Gloucester), B.C.Hartley (Blackheath) (Captain), W.L.Y.Rogers (Blackheath), D.R.Bedell-Sivright (West of Scotland). On Ground: G.V.Kyrke (Marlborough Nomads), F.C.Hulme (Birkenhead Park), S.F.Cropper (Blackheath), P.Hutchison (Birkenhead Park), E. Watkins-Baker (Clifton). The Barbarians who played Devonport Albion on 5th April 1904
Snippet * - The profit on the British rugby teams recent tour of South Africa ammounted to ,13,837.3s.3d. The takings for all matches in which the touring team took part amounted to ,21,879.12s.3d and the expenditure in connection with the tour was ,8,042.9s.6d. (Financial details taken from newspaper report of the time) Snippet * - On Saturday 1st of February 1939 a match was arranged at Ravenhill between the Touring Party XV and a side selected by Maj Hartley. This match was to close the Senior rugby season of that year. The Tourists won the match easily. Tourists XV 39 pts.... Hartley's XV 12 pts http://www.rugbyrelics.com/museum/biogs/Mayne-RB-I-1937.htm Snippet * - Although the activities of the ARU were curtailed during the Second World War (1939- 45), as they had been during the First World War (1914-18), a series of Service International matches were played around the country by teams drawn from rugby playing servicemen; these games drew large crowds and help to maintain the nation’s morale through the dark days of the war. After the war first class rugby union players brought in through National Service dominated army rugby. During the period 1948-62 more men played for the Army XV than in any other previous or subsequent era. It meant that thirty Army players were selected to represent their countries and from among those selected; Matthews, Hall, Cameron, Scotland, Mike Campbell-Lamerton and Fisher were given the added privilege of captaining their respective national teams. Also on a national front the ARU can boast of the fact that it has had appointed from its ranks Presidents for the English and Scottish RFUs. They were: Major General BA Hill CB, DSO (English RFU 1937-39), Colonel BC Hartley CB, OBE (English RFU 1947-48), Major General RGS Hobbs CB, DSO, OBE (English RFU 1961-62), Brigadier FH Coutts CBE, DL (Scottish RFU 1977-78), Brigadier DW Shuttleworth OBE, ADC (English RFU 1985-86) The touring party (pictured at Newlands) sailed for home on Friday 23rd September 1938 on board the SS ATHLONE CASTLE
