Arthur Wesney Explained

Arthur Wesney
Full Name:Arthur William Wesney
Birth Date:1 February 1915
Birth Place:Invercargill, New Zealand
Death Place:Sidi Rezegh, Libya
Height:1.74 m
Weight:79 kg
Position:Utility back
Repyears1:1938

Arthur William Wesney (1 February 1915 — 23 November 1941) was a New Zealand rugby union international.[1]

Born in Invercargill, Wesney was educated at Southland Boys' High School. He represented Southland in cricket and water polo, in addition to rugby, and was twice runner-up to Wilf Hassan in the national diving championships.[2]

Wesney, a versatile, goal-kicking back, was on the Southland team which claimed the 1937 Ranfurly Shield from Otago. He toured Australia with the All Blacks in 1938 and featured in three of the uncapped matches, which included a hat-trick of tries against the Australian Capital Territory at Manuka Oval in Canberra.[3]

During World War II, Wesney served with the 26th Battalion and attained the rank of captain. He was killed in action while leading a charge on German positions at Sidi Rezegh, Libya in 1941, at the age of 26.[4]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Match Winner In Rugby . . 6 December 1941 . 11.
  2. News: Killed In Action . . 5 December 1941 . 3.
  3. Web site: Art Wesney #447 . stats.allblacks.com.
  4. Web site: Arthur William Wesney . Auckland Museum.