International
caps were gained against Ireland and Scotland in 1951 – the same year as
an even more important match took place when he married Miss Jenefer Holman, the
daughter of Mr. P. M. Holman, a past President of the RFU. He was also
our club captain in 1951-52, following in the footsteps of his brother Nicky (captain
in 1947-48 and 1948-49). Further honours followed when playing for the ‘Barbarians’
and the Combined Counties teams against the ‘Springboks’ and ‘All
Blacks’. He also skippered Richmond to a Middlesex 7s victory in 1953. From
1952 until 1969, John regularly brought a team of to players to oppose us. Known
as the ‘Tankards’, we never managed to beat them, but it was a great
experience for our side to play against so many famous internationals, and it
was also a bonus for the supporters. World-class stars who appeared for the Tankards
over the years included players such as British Lions Tony O’Reilly, and
Arthur Smith, who scored 5 tries against us in 1960. In later years John
lived at Budock, near Falmouth. He held the post of High Sheriff of Cornwall,
and was also President of the Cornwall RFU (1991-94).
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