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 Cullen, William John MBE played for Ireland Internationals: 1 : 1920 E- William Cullen was born on 7 December 1894 Played as a Centre for: Christ’s Hospital School, Oxford University, Manchester, Munster (?) Mother Country Profession: N/k War service: Enlisted in the Leicestershire Regiment on 26 September 1914, on which day he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, due to his being an ex-Cadet of the Officers Training Corps. He served as a Lieutenant on the Western Front. Promoted to Captain in the 7th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Remarks: Went to Oxford in 1913, but he did not win a Blue. Played at Centre in all six King’s Cup matches for “Mother Country” in 1919, including the final v New Zealand Army (3-9). Elected to Barbarians in 1919-1920, but did not play for the club. He played eight games of first class cricket in India between 1922-1923 and 1928-1929. 7 games for “Europeans (India)” and 1 game for “Europeans and Parsees” v MCC in 1926-1927. He died on 28 June 1960 at Hemingford Grey, Huntingdonshire
Heres the first class cricket games in India FIRST-CLASS MATCHES PLAYED BY WILLIAM CULLEN (8) 30th November 1922 Other First-Class matches in India 1922/23 Europeans v Indians Gymkhana Ground, Bombay 13th September 1926 Bombay Quadrangular Tournament 1926/27 Europeans v Parsees Deccan Gymkhana Ground, Pune 20th September 1926 Bombay Quadrangular Tournament 1926/27 Final Europeans v Hindus Deccan Gymkhana Ground, Pune 4th December 1926 Marylebone Cricket Club in India 1926/27 Europeans and Parsees v Marylebone Cricket Club Gymkhana Ground, Bombay 28th November 1927 Bombay Quadrangular Tournament 1927/28 Europeans v Hindus Gymkhana Ground, Bombay 5th December 1927 Bombay Quadrangular Tournament 1927/28 Final Europeans v Muslims Gymkhana Ground, Bombay 4th December 1928 Bombay Quadrangular Tournament 1928/29 Europeans v Muslims Gymkhana Ground, Bombay 8th December 1928 Bombay Quadrangular Tournament 1928/29 Final Europeans v Parsees Gymkhana Ground, Bombay Other games 15th January 1923 Nagpur Provincial Tournament 1922/23 Semi-Final Central Provinces v Bombay Nagpur 22nd January 1923 Nagpur Provincial Tournament 1922/23 Final Bengal v Bombay Nagpur Hemingford Gray is a lovely place - I know it well !! thought you might like to see some pictures !! http://www.hemingford-grey.info/parish_picture_album.asp
This is interesting .... a different place of death ... though there is a St Ives in Huntingdonshire ... maybe they got the county mixed up !! William John Cullen (1894-1960) was an Irish rugby international. He won one cap against England 14/02/1920 William Cullen DOB 7th Dec 1894 Birthplace Balghupar, India William Cullen Ireland Full name William John Cullen Born December 7, 1894, Balghupar Died June 28, 1960, St Ives, Cornwall (aged 65 years 204 days) Major teams Ireland Position Centre http://www.scrum.com/ireland/rugby/player/2631.html
I also found this Gareth ..... that says he played for Monkstown and Manchester I checked 1911 Irish census - but he doesn't appear there !! William Cullen Full name William John Cullen Date of birth 7 December 1894 Place of birth Balghupar? India Date of death 28 June 1960 Rugby union career Playing career Position Centre Clubs Caps (points) Monkstown Manchester National team(s) Caps (points) 1920 Ireland 1
Annie Manchester RFC has been around since 1860, so I suppose that he could have had a run with them either before or after the War. Gareth
Well he's listed Gareth ! ( I ) W. J. Cullen E 1920 http://www.manchesterrugby.co.uk/pagehistory.aspx
