Charles Napoleon Kingstone - All Blacks

liverpool annie · Nov 19, 2009

FULL NAME - Charles Napoleon Kingstone
BORN - 2 July 1895 in Auckland
DIED - 6 May 1960 in New Plymouth
POSITION - Fullback
LAST SCHOOL - Grafton School
RUGBY CLUB (First made All Blacks from) - Clifton
PROVINCE - Taranaki

Charles Kingstone was always known as "Nap," a nickname bestowed on him because he had the unusual second name of Napoleon. However, it was fitting that he should be named after one of history's most famous soldiers for he invariably played with a courage which rather belied his small size. He was just 5ft 8in (1.73m) and 11st (70kg).

Kingstone played all three tests against the 1921 Springboks and was regarded as one of the outstanding players of the series.

But that was Kingstone's only season with the All Blacks and his entire first class career brought him only 13 matches. Because of the World War I years of 1914-18 and then injuries from a motor accident in 1922 Kingstone's only rugby at top level was in 1920-21 seasons.

He was by then well into his 20s but enough was seen of him during the tests against the Springboks to confirm he was a player of exceptional quality.

Kingstone hailed from Auckland and as a member of the Grafton club played four matches for his home province in 1920.

His transfer to Taranaki saw him play for that province in a celebrated scoreless draw against the Springboks. He was one of the stars of the match, tackling much bigger men with typical bravery and repelling the tourists with some long touch finders.

His form in that match, plus an appearance for the North Island, confirmed him as the logical fullback for the test series. For the second time on that tour Kingstone played in a scoreless draw, the third test at Athletic Park, and in difficult conditions he was again acclaimed for his performance.

Such was his impact it is diverting to wonder what might have been had Kingstone's career not been cut short while still in his prime. Had he continued through until the 1924-25 tour of Britain, when he would have been 29, is it possible George Nepia might not have emerged?

"Nap" Kingstone's nephew Colin represented Auckland 1941-42,45-47 and both Wellington and Canterbury in 1942
Click to expand...

Lindsay Knight

liverpool annie · Nov 19, 2009

Can't find any service records .... but I did find this .... I believe this is him !

FULL NAME - Napoleon Kingstone
FORENAME(S) - Napoleon
SURNAME - Kingstone
WAR - World War I, 1914-1918
SERIAL NO. - 2/1283
FIRST KNOWN RANK - Gunner
NEXT OF KIN - William T. Kingstone (father), 293 Bridge Street, Mount Eden, Auckland, New Zealand
MARITAL STATUS - Single
ENLISTMENT ADDRESS - 293 Bridge Street, Mount Eden, New Zealand
MILITARY DISTRICT - Auckland
BODY ON EMBARKATION - 4th Reinforcements
EMBARKATION UNIT - Field Artillery
EMBARKATION DATE - 17 April 1915
PLACE OF EMBARKATION - Wellington, New Zealand
TRANSPORT - HMNZT 21 HMNZT 22 HMNZT 23
VESSEL - Willochra or Knight Templar or Waitomo
DESTINATION - Suez, Egypt
PAGE ON NOMINAL ROLL - 396

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