This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who served in, and survived, The Great War. If anyone has further information on the men concerned, I’d be most grateful if it could be added to the thread. Gareth Lapage, Walter Nevill OBE played for England Internationals: 4 : 1908 F+ (1t) W- (1t) I+ S- Walter Lapage was born on 5 February 1883 Played as a Centre/wing for: Royal Naval College Greenwich, United Services Portsmouth, Royal Navy, Surrey Profession: Royal Navy War service: Royal Navy, promoted to Commander 30 June 1916; appointed to the Staff of Rear Admiral Sir Roger Keyes; served on board the battlecruiser HMS Lion, 1919. He retired as a Captain. Remarks: Played for the Officers of the Royal Navy v the Officers of the Army in February 1907 (15-14) and 1913 (18-8), as well as for London (0-3) and Combined Navy and Army (6-8) v the 1908-1909 Wallabies. He died on 17 May 1939
Not much information about Walter I'm afraid ... but heres a few snippets !! .... * He was born in Nantwich and scored a try in his debut for England England tour - Colombes, 1 January 1908 ..... France (0) 0 - 19 (6) England (FT) Some family tree stuff !! * And I found him on the Royal Navy List for 1908. Included on the crew list of all officers on board Royal Navy ships correct to 18th December 1907. Vernon, 5481 tons, H.P. Captain Douglas A. Gamble Commander Thomas P. Bonham Christopher R. Payne Arthur de K. L. May Lieutenant Walter N. Lapage
