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 Caddell, Ernest Duncan MC played for Ireland Internationals: 13 : 1904 S- ; 1905 E+ S+ W- NZ- ; 1906 E+ S- W+ SA- ; 1907 E+ (2t) S- ; 1908 S+ W- Ernest Caddell was born on 18 November 1881. Played as a Scrum-half for: Portora Royal School, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin University, Wanderers Profession: The Army/Medicine War service: Captain, Major from 30 July 1918, Acting Lieutenant Colonel, Royal Army Medical Corps. MC Gazetted 1 January 1915, among the first awards of that decoration. Remarks: Played for the Officers of the Army v the Officers of the Royal Navy in February (14-15) and December 1907 (0-15) He died on 27 May 1942
Ernest was educated at Portora RS and Dublin University, Qualifying M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O. in 1913 (TC Dub). Whilst at school he played rugby at Half Back for TCD, Wanderers, Blackheath and Army Back. His achievements were 13 Irish Caps, V's E: 1905,’06,’07. S: 1904,’05,’06,’07,’08. W: 1905,’06,’08. NZ: 1905 and SA: 1906. He also gained Ireland Cap, No 293 and scored 2 tries for Ireland. He played with Blackheath from 1904 to’08. Ernest had held a commission within the Medical Services from the 30th July 1906, becoming Capt on the 30th January 1910. He served in India from 1909 - 1913. On the 7th August 1914, Ernest became an officer of the 10th Field Ambulance, and leaving England on the 22nd August, he entered the war with them in France on the 23rd. On the 10th April 1916, he served under the rank of temporary Major, and as Commanding Officer of the 58th Field Ambulance during 1916 -1917. He was promoted to Major on the 30th July 1918. From 1917 - 1918, Ernest became Commanding Officer to the 102nd Field Ambulance but was then invalided home. He served as CO at the Cen. Military Hospital, Fenson Hill, in Aldershot until 1919. Within this time - the 22nd August 1916 to 5th August 1917, and the 14th December 1917 to 7th April 1918, and the 9th August 1918 to 11th May 1919, he also served under the rank of acting Lieutenant Colonel. Ernest continued to serve after the war, serving in W Africa from 1923- 24 and 1925 - 26 [invalided]. China from 1929 - 1931 [when he gained the Rank of Lieutenant Colonel on the 15th September 1930]. Jamaica from 1931 - 1933, and India from 1934 - 36. He retired on pay on the 18th November 1936. Due to the conflicts of the Second World War, Ernest rejoined service on the 2nd Sepember 1939, serving as SMO near Chatham from 1939 - 1941 and as CO at the Military Hospital, Chatham from August - October 1941. He reverted back to r.p. on the 7th June 1942. Ernest died on the 27th May 1942 at Farnham, Surrey. [Information sources: The Medical Officers in the British Army 1660 - 1960, Medal Index Card, and Willow Murray - Hon Archivist of the Irish Rugby Football Union http://www.ramc-ww1.com/profile.php?profile_id=11305&osCsid=37b8d5bb60265ffa1f417d4efdda825c
