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 Crole, Gerard Bruce MC played for Scotland Internationals: 4: 1920 F+ (1t) W+ I+ (2t) E- Gerard Crole was born on 7 June 1894, in Edinburgh Played as a Wing for: Edinburgh Academy, Oxford University Profession: Sudan political service/schoolmaster/Solicitor War service: 2nd Lieutenant, 2nd Dragoon Guards and Nos 40 and 43 Squadrons, Royal Flying Corps. He was credited with five victories while flying Nieuport 17 Scouts with No 40 Squadron: while flying B1552 [the aeroplane flown by Lt Edward Mannock on 7 June, when he was credited with his second victory] he was credited with an Albatros D.V North East of Douai, and another East of La Basseé on 25 June 1917, plus an Albatros D.V North West of Douai on 2 July 1917 (probably Ltn Hans Forstmann of Jasta 30), when flying A6793 he was credited with another Albatros D.V East of La Basseé on 15 August 1917, and a DFW two-seater North East of Lens on 23 August 1917. In September he was assigned to No 43 Squadron as a Flight Commander, but was shot down on during a low level reconnaissance mission to Douai on 22 November when flying Sopwith Camel B6267 and made a Prisoner of War. The victory over Lt Crole was credited to Vizefeldwebel Fritz Rumey of Jagdstaffel 5 as the third of his eventual 45. Ltn Rumey was killed in action on 27 September 1918 when his Fokker D.VII collided with a SE5a flown by Capt. G E B Lawson of No 32 Sqn RAF. Lt Crole’s MC was Gazetted on 25 September 1917, with the citation appearing on 9 January 1918: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in aerial fighting on many occasions. By his determination and fine offensive spirit in attacking hostile aircraft he has continually proved his superiority over the enemy, destroying several enemy machines and driving down others out of control.” Remarks: When he played in the international v England in 1920, he marked Cyril Lowe, who was credited with nine victories while flying with Nos 11 and 40 Sqns. This must be the only occasion when two fighter aces were directly opposed at international level. Gerard Crole served as Assistant District Commissioner Wad Medani, Blue Nile Province in the Sudan from 1920 to 1923. He was then the Commandant of the Sub-Mamurs’ Training School at Khartoum until 1926, when he was Assistant District Commissioner, then District Commissioner at El Fasher, Darfur. His next post was Deputy Governor, Wau, Bahr el Ghazal. Between 1932 and 1934 he was District Commissioner Kosti, White Nile Province. Then in 1934 he became Deputy Governor, Ed Dueim, White Nile Province and the District Commissioner, Nyala, Darfur. His last posting in the Sudan was as Deputy Governor, El Fasher, Darfur. His papers are preserved at Durham University. Played Cricket for Scotland. He died on 31 March 1963, in Aberdeen.
