This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who died during 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 Morkel, Jan Willem Hunter (‘Jackie’) played for South Africa Internationals: 5 : 1912 S+ I+ (2t) W+ ; 1913 E+ (1t) F+ (1t 1c) Jan Morkel was born on 13 November 1891, Somerset West, Cape Province, South Africa, son of J and H Morkel. Played as a Centre for: Western Province Remarks: Brother of Pieter Gerhard Morkel (8 caps) “A neat three-quarter who proved to be the most capable of the Springboks’ centres.” “[He] scored a brilliant try [v England] “ War service: Trooper in 1st Mounted Brigade, van Deventer’s Scouts; he was part of the second reinforcements to van Deventer’s Scouts. He died on 15 May 1916 of dysentery, in East Africa, and is buried in Dar es Salaam War Cemetery, Tanzania [Grave 5. K. 6.].
Private Jan Willem Hunter Morkel (Jacky) Men and women from all over the Commonwealth answered the "call to arms" during both wars. Many of them died fighting in remote regions or in smaller campaigns that were equally important to the overall war effort. No matter where or how they died, their graves, memorials and names are still cared for by the Commission. Jacky Morkel made his debut for the Springboks on the 1912/13 tour of the British Isles and France when he played in all five tests, scoring four tries and a total of 16 points. His individual brilliance was credited with a narrow win over the Welsh club side, Llanelli. When war broke out Jacky enlisted in the Mounted Commandos, a South African force engaged in difficult fighting in what was then known as German East Africa. Sickness and disease were a constant problem for troops fighting in this harsh environment and on the 15 May 1916 Jacky died of dysentery. He is buried in Dar Es Salaam War Cemetery in Tanzania. In Memory of Private J W H MORKEL 1455, 1st Mounted Bde. Van der Venter Scouts, Mounted Commandos, S.A. Forces who died age 25 on 15 May 1916 Son of J. and H. Morkel. Born at Somerset West, Cape Province, South Africa. Remembered with honour DAR ES SALAAM WAR CEMETERY
Jacky Morkel is in the Springbok Hall of Fame Full names - Jan Willem Hurter Date of birth - 13 Nov 1890 Place of birth - Somerset West, South Africa Initial province - Western Province Physical - 1.8m, 77.11kg Date of death - 15 May 1916 (Age 25) Test summary - Tests - 5 Tries - 4 First Test - 23 Nov 1912 Age -22 Outside Centre against Scotland at Inverleith, Edinburgh Last Test - 11 Jan 1913 Age -22 Outside Centre against France at Le Bouscat, Bordeaux http://74.125.53.132/translate_c?hl...le.com&usg=ALkJrhjTHwb6twSRk5djRL13NAkIA87pTA His brother is also there ...... Gerhard Morkel Full names - Pieter Gerhard Date of birth - 15 Oct 1888 Place of birth - Somerset West, South Africa School - Hottentots-Holland, Somerset West Initial province - Western Province Physical - 1.82m, 80.7kg Date of death - 5 Sep 1963 (Age 74) Test summary - Tests - 8 Tries - 0 First Test: -23 Nov 1912 Age -24 Full Back against Scotland at Inverleith, Edinburgh Last Test - 17 Sep 1921 Age -32 Full Back against New Zealand at Athletic Park, Wellington And here's a snippet ......
