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 Birkett, John Guy Giberne played for England Internationals: 21: 1906 S+ F+ SA= ; 1907 F+ (1t 1d) W- S- ; 1908 F+ (1t) W- (2t) I+ S- (1t) ; 1910 W+ I= S+ (2t) ; 1911 W- F+ I- S+ (1t) ; 1912 W+ I+ (1t) S- F+ (1t) John Birkett was born on 27 December 1884, in Richmond, Surrey. The son of International Reginald Birkett and nephew of International Louis Birkett. Played as a Centre for: Haileybury and Imperial Service College, Brighton, Harlequins, Barbarians, Surrey Profession: Land agent in Sussex War service: Captain, Royal Garrison Artillery in France and in Italy; Mentioned in Despatches 30 May 1918. Ordine della Corona d’Italia (5th Class). Remarks: Once England’s record cap holder until overtaken by C N Lowe. He scored a try v Wales at Twickenham on 15 January 1910, 39 years after his father scored England’s first ever international try v Scotland on 27 March 1871. Played for Barbarians v Cardiff (5-6) and v Swansea (0-12) in 1908, v Cardiff (16-5) and v Swansea (0-11) in 1910, and v Wales XV (26-10) in 1915. On 17 April 1915 he played for The Barbarians v Welsh XV at Cardiff Arms Park in what was termed a ‘Military International’ between Wales and England, designed to boost recruiting for the newly-formed Welsh Guards and to raise money. Wales fielded a near International team with only one uncapped player (Dan Callan of the Royal Munster Fusiliers). The Barbarian side had 12 Englishmen, 2 Irishmen and 1 Welshman (South African International Joseph Partridge). He scored a try and the match, won by the Barbarians 26-10, raised £200. He served as a Captain in the Army Claims Commission for England between 1943 and 1946. He died on 16 October 1968
Gareth, This is his entry in Haileybury. Listed under the traditional Haileybury format under their term of entry, so went to the School 1898 term 3. From Haileybury and Imperial Service College Register, Volume 1, 1862-1911. Hope it helps a little. Andy
A tall and fast centre, John Birkett, whose father played in England's first international in 1871, scoring their first try, played 21 times for England and for a time held the record for the most appearances. In 1910 he featured in the side that won the Four Nations Championship, scoring two tries against Scotland. In World War One he was a captain in the Royal Field Artillery ( ? ) and was mentioned in dispatches 18 times. Father - RH Birkett, Uncle - L Birkett ( Louis Birkett ) Reg Birkett was one of the first double internationals, representing England at both rugby and football. He was picked for the first rugby international in 1871 and scored England's first try. He turned out three more times between then and 1877, going on to serve on the RFU committee, and in 1879 was picked for his one football international. A fearless goalkeeper, his club football was for Lancing Old Boys and Clapham Rovers, winning the FA Cup with the latter in 1880. A skin and fur broker by profession, he died of typhoid following an accident. His brother and son were also rugby internationals.
