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 Burgun, Marcel played for France Internationals: 11 : 1909 I- ; 1910 W- (1t) S- I- ; 1911 S+ E+ ; 1912 I- S- ; 1913 S- E- ; 1914 E- Marcel Burgun was born either in 1887 or on 30 January 1890 in St Petersburg, Russia (sources vary) Played as a Centre for: Racing Club de France, Castres OI Profession: Engineer War service: Sous-lieutenant, Escadrille MF50, later Escadrille N38, Aviation Militaire. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre and had three citations for bravery. Remarks: As a pilot he, and an unknown observer, was credited with a victory over a German Aviatik, which was forced to land on 5 August 1915. He was killed in action on 2 September 1916, when flying a Nieuport XVII South of Aubérive. He was attacking one German aircraft when shot down by another. He is buried in the Cimitière de Mont Frenet, La Cheppe, Marne, France.
Lieutenant Marcel Burgun Marcel played at centre for France on 11 occasions, including their first ever international victory in 1911 against Scotland. He entered military service in 1910 and with the outbreak of war in 1914 was made a Sub-Lieutenant in the Artillery Regiment. In 1915, Marcel asked to join the newest branch of the services, the airforce. He first flew as an observer, pinpointing targets for artillery but by September 1915 he wanted a more aggressive role as a fighter pilot, undoubtedly due to the fact that his brother had been killed at the front. On 2 September 1916 Marcel set out on what was to be his last patrol. He came across a German aircraft and decided to attack but a second German plane appeared and he was shot down and killed. Marcel received three citations for bravery and was awarded the Croix de Guerre medal. He is buried in the Cimetiere de Mont Frenet, La Cheppe, Marne, France
France - Marcel Burgun. An extrovert fly-half who played against England in 1914 ( his last appearance for France was April 13th 1914 ) during the last international before hostilities began. Joined the French Air Corps to avenge his brother's death on the western front and was shot down and killed in 1916.
The entry in The French Air Service War Chronology that mentions S/Lt Burgun suggests that he was a pilot in August 1915, but the CWGC booklet on Rugby players has him starting pilot training in September that year. Gareth
