Charles Henry ‘Cherry’ Pillman - England Lions 1890-1955 The Blackheath and England wing forward was, without doubt, the star of the 1910 Lions tour, the last before the Great War. He won the first of his 18 caps earlier that year against Scotland and during a season which included the first ever Five Nations Championship, he established himself as a leading forward for club and country. The hard grounds of South Africa suited the lean 6ft hound who became the leading personality of the tour. Dr Danie Craven simply said that Pillman “must be looked upon as one of the originators of what became known as the loose forward.” He was so supremely skilful that he was able to play fly half in the last two Tests, and revert to his wing forward position for the last match of the tour against Western Province. He was described by South Africa captain Billy Millar as the greatest ever flank forward who revolutionised the South African concept of forward play. One wonders what might have been had Pillman been able to play in the first Test, which he missed due to injury. Although not regarded as a recognised kicker, he finished the tour as the leading Lions scorer with 67 points, which included six tries, three penalties, 18 conversions and a drop goal.
He has a Medal card ... and I read he was awarded the MC Pillman, Charles Henry Dragoon Guards Lieutenant Dragoon Guards Captain Date 1914-1920 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/...asp?Edoc_Id=4838979&queryType=1&resultcount=2
Pillman, Charles Henry (‘Cherry’) MC played for England and Great Britain Internationals: 18 : 1910 W+ I= F+ S+ ; 1911 W- F+ (2t) I- S+ ; 1912 W+ F+ (1c) ; 1913 SA- W+ (1t) F+ (2t) I+ (1t) S+ ; 1914 W+ (1t) I+ (1t) S+ Great Britain Internationals: 2 : 1910 SA + SA – Charles Pillman was born on January 1890, Sidcup, son of Joseph Charles and Mary Anna Pillman. Played as a Flanker for: Tonbridge School, Blackheath, Barbarians, Kent, Mother Country Profession: Flour importer/London Corn Exchange Remarks: Brother of R L Pillman (1 cap). Top scorer on the Great Britain tour of South Africa 1910 with 65 points. He dominated the tour, as the most outstanding player. He was then 22 years old, stood 6ft 3in tall and weighed 173lbs. A leading critic of the day wrote that ‘he played as though he had invented the game himself.’ The South African Benny Millar stated that it was Pillman who single-handedly inspired the British to victory to their unexpected victory in the Second Test when, astonishingly, he played at fly-half. Years later, Millar wrote: ‘My memories of the game are all dwarfed by Pillman’s brilliance. I confidently assert that, if ever a man can be said to have won an international match through his own unorthodox and single-handed efforts, it can be said of the inspired, black-haired Pillman I played against at the Crusader ground on 27 August 1910.’ Pillman started both his team’s second-half match-winning tries, first with a kick over Allport’s head for Spoors to score. Two minutes later he was at it again, when he initiated a try for the wing, M E Neale, which was also converted, and the game was won 8-3. He broke his leg against Scotland in 1910, an injury which ended his international career. Played for Barbarians: v Swansea (0-11) v Cheltenham (8-11) in 1910; v Cardiff (8-15) v Swansea (8-18) v Cheltenham (8-3) in 1911; v Penarth (3-8) v Swansea (0-8) v Cheltenham (13-6) in 1913. In 1919 he played six matches for the Mother Country in the King’s Cup tournament. He was instrumental in getting Blackheath RFC re-started after the losses of the Great War. Played golf for South of England v North. War service: Second Lieutenant 4th Dragoon Guards from 15 August 1914, later Lieutenant, Cavalry Special Reserve, attached Dragoon Guards. MC Gazetted 15 January 1918. He was a Captain when he played Rugby in 1919. During the 1939-1945 War he served as Area Flour Officer for South East Division. He died in 1958
March 21, 1914 The England XV for the match against Scotland in 1914. Alfred Maynard, Arthur Dingle, Bungy Watson, Cyril Lowe, Sidney Smart, G Ward, Joseph Brunton, JE Greenwood. Front: William Johnston, Cherry Pillman, HC Harrison, Ronald Poulton-Palmer, Bruno Brown, Francis Oakeley, WJA 'Dave' Davies
These are his mentions in the Gazette ! http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28886/pages/6903 http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31934/pages/6419 http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31596/supplements/12640 http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31190/supplements/2548 http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30965/supplements/12472 http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30765/supplements/7543 http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30482/supplements/958
