WW1 Durham School Rugby Cap (15) 2nd XV (Fifteen) - Name of 1914- 15 team members annotated to inside

An absolutely fabulous black velvet rugby colours cap or Durham School 2nd Fifteen Rugby Team which is for the 1914 - 15 season and which has been annotated withthe name of owner, and also has his school house down as 'Caffinites'. What is even more remarkable in ink has been added 15 names, presumably his fellow team mates. Quite hard to read but using a good glass and using the wonderful book "Photographs and Biographies of Old Dunelmians who gave their lives for their Country in the War, 1914 - 1919" which also records the war service of all Old Dunelmians, I have been able to positively identify with a fair degree of certainty the war service of 100% of this team, as follows:

1) C Gee - C.H.R. (1910 - 1916) Gee, 9th DLI, MC
2) D. Armstrong (1912-1914), Lt 1st KOSB
3) E. E. Arkless (1911 -1915) 2nd Lt, 2 DOW regt, wounded, placed on H.P. list on account of ill health caused by wounds
4) R Gee R.C.M. (1910-1915) Capt 15th DLI MC KIA 7th Nov 1918
5) Rowland (C.J) (1909 - 1914) Temp Lt, 16th Warwicks, Lt I.A. (Indian Army)
6) Casper (C.F.) (1909 - 1915) Lt RGA (T) attached RGA (regulars) MC
7) Picton (A.T. ) (1911 - 1915) - 3rd/4th Black Watch, wounded
8) Humphreys (JTG) (1910 - 1915) 2nd Lt 40th Pathans, IA, KIA (Killed in East Africa)
9) Mayes (C (1910 - 1916)Lt RGA 24th Siege
Battery S R , Wounded, Employed in Ministry of Inventions
10) Glen (JVJ) (1907 - 1915) Lt 6th Jat LI, Indian Army
11) Plummer, H.C.B. (1911-1915) Lieut., 1/9th DLI, Military Cross, Wounded, Bar for Military Cross
12) 1) SM Johnson (1911- 1915), Lieut., 3rd Black Watch (owner of the cap)
13) Patton (I.K.) (1912 - 1916) 2nd Lt RAF Died in Hospital from influenza on 25th November 1918 (his obituary confirms he played for the School's 2nd XV)
14) Tindle, Kirton (1911-1914), 2nd Lieut., 1/7th DLI KIA
15) Tyerman (G.V.) (1913- 1915) Lt 62nd Brigade, RFA - wounded

All of the team served, which was I suppose no surprise as they were all fit and able as rugby players. Of the fifteen, three were killed in action and one died in hospital. Five are noted as wounded.

Apart from the red tassel now more of an orange colour, faded a bit with age, the black felt looks like it was made yesterday and is undamaged and plush. Maker's label, Christys' of London. White liner now a little grubby but a rare and unique survivor of a by-gone age.

As a former Old Dunelmian myself, I am sad to let this one go, but would like to think it is worthy of further research by somebody with access to school records and photos. See my item 68721 for scans of the relevant obituaries. I will provide an electronic copy of these to the buyer.

Please note I will only post to a UK address as I do not want to see this item leave the UK.

Please also note that the wooden hat block is not for sale but used here for display purposes only.

Comm FB

Code: 66808