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 Beith, Bruce McNeil (‘Jackie’) played for Australia Internationals: 1: 1914 NZ- Bruce Beith was born on 28 September 1893, in Mudgee, NSW. Played as a Fullback for: Sydney University, Australian Imperial Force, Eastern Suburbs, NSW. After school at Barker College he studied medicine at Sydney University, from where he played for NSW against Queensland in 1913 and against New Zealand in 1914. Played in the AIF team which inflicted the only defeat (6-5) on the NZEF team in the post-War Inter-Services championship. Regained his place in the NSW team in 1920 and played in three lost matches against New Zealand. He played for NSW 5 times. Profession: Dentist (Doctor?) War service: Captain, Australian Army Medical Corps; he enlisted on 14 July 1916. His unit embarked from Sydney on HMAT A67 Orsova on 2 December 1916. Mentioned in Despatches. Remarks: He stayed in England after the War to continue his medical studies, returning in 1920. He became a Queensland selector in 1933. He died in September 1961.
He was an Andrews man !! ..... St Andrew's College is a Protestant co-residential college within the University of Sydney - in the suburb of Camperdown. Looks like he was a coach for the Gallopers in 1931 ! http://www.gpsrugby.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=14
