Frank Wilson (rugby union, born 1885) explained

Frank Wilson
Birth Name:Frank Reginald Wilson
Birth Date:28 May 1885
Birth Place:Auckland, New Zealand
Death Place:Somme, France
Height:5feet
Weight:164order=flipNaNorder=flip
School:Auckland Grammar School
Occupation:Schoolteacher
Ru Position:Wing
Ru Provinceyears1:1906–10
Ru Provinceapps1:22
Repyears1:1910
Repcaps1:0
Reppoints1:0
Module:----
Embed:yes
Serviceyears:1915–1916
Rank:Second Lieutenant
Unit:New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Battles:Battle of the Somme
Placeofburial:Dernancourt
Awards:is not set -->

Frank Reginald Wilson (28 May 1885 – 19 September 1916) was a New Zealand rugby union player who represented his country in 1910.

Wilson was educated at Ponsonby School and then Auckland Grammar School, where he was a member of the 1st XV in 1900. A wing three-quarter, Wilson represented at a provincial level.[1] He was called into the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, to tour Australia in 1910 because of Donald Cameron's withdrawal. He played a game against Wellington before he departed for Australia where he scored his only points for the All Blacks. He played in the first game in Australia but received an injury and did not appear again.[2]

An all-round sportsman, Wilson was considered one of Auckland's fastest sprinters. He also captained the Ponsonby Cricket Club, as well as being a well-known swimmer and tennis player.[2]

In World War I, Wilson enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in March 1915 and embarked for service overseas in August that year. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in August 1916, and was wounded in action during the Battle of the Somme on 17 September 1916. He died as a result of his wounds two days later.[3] He was buried in the Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Frank Wilson . Knight . Lindsay . New Zealand Rugby Union . 19 December 2015.
  2. Book: Chester, Rod. The Encyclopedia of New Zealand Rugby. Moa Publications. 1987. 0-908570-16-3. Auckland. 177. McMillan. Neville. Palenski. Ron.
  3. Web site: Wilson, Frank Reginald - WW1 12/2616 - Army . Archives New Zealand . 19 December 2015.