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 Brown, Leonard Graham (‘Bruno’) MC played for England Internationals: 18: 1911 W- F+ I- S+ ; 1913 SA- W+ F+ I+ S+ (1t) ; 1914 W+ (1t) I+ S+ F+ ; 1921 W+ I+ (1t) S+ (1t) F+ ; 1922 W- Leonard Brown was born on 6 September 1888, in Brisbane, Australia Played as a Prop for: Brisbane Grammar School, Oxford University (Blue 1910-1912 [captain]), The London Hospital, Blackheath, Barbarians, Surrey, Queensland, Mother Country Profession: Medicine; ear, nose and throat specialist. War service: Captain, Royal Army Medical Corps; later Lieutenant Colonel, No 15 Convalescent Depot. MC Gazetted 4 June 1917, Mentioned in Despatches 1918. Remarks: Rhodes Scholar. Played for Barbarians: v Cardiff (3-16) and v Leicester (3-29) in 1910; v Cardiff (8-15) and v Swansea (8-18) in 1911. He played six times for Mother Country in the 1919 King’s Cup tournament. Captained England v Wales 1922. Represented New South Wales on the Rugby Football Union committee 1922-1949; President of the RFU 1948-1949. Chairman Dominions Conference 1947. International Board representative responsible for obtaining IB status for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Assisted in founding the Australian Rugby Football Union on 26 November 1949. He died on 23 May 1950, in Charing Cross Hospital, London
Gareth, From the Blue's register:- BROWN, Leonard Graham Born 1888. Was at Brisbane Grammar School 1902-7, and in the School Rugby Fifteen from 1904, being captain his last two years. He played in the School Cricket Eleven occasionally, and was in the School Rowing Four 1905, 1906 and 1907, the winning Four in the Inter-Schools Competition in 1905 and 1907. Was also champion gymnast of the School in 1905 and 1907, and was in the shooting team which won the Empire Cadet Match in 1906. In 1909 he played in the Queensland Fifteen against England. Went to Balliol, Oxford, as a Rhodes Scholar in 1909, and has played Rugby for his College each year since, being captain in 1912, and rowed in the 1st Torpid and 1st Eight in 1910. He palyed in occasional matches with the Varsity Fifteen in 1909-10, and obtained his blue in both 1911 and 1912, in the latter year being captain. Address: Brisbane, Queensland.
Lastly, picture of the Oxford 1912 XV, Leonard is centre front row holding the ball. Also have picures of the 1910 & 1911 team if you need them Andy
Andy Thanks for the photos and information. I'd be very grateful for the other team photos if it's not too much trouble. Regards Gareth
