William Middleton Wallace - played for Scotland

Discussion in 'Sportsmen & women' started by liverpool annie, Jun 14, 2009.

  1. liverpool annie

    liverpool annie New Member

    In Memory of
    Lieutenant WILLIAM MIDDLETON WALLACE

    Royal Flying Corps
    and 5th Bn., Rifle Brigade
    who died age 22
    on 22 August 1915
    Son of Robert Walker Wallace and Mary Parker Wallace, of 7, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh. Scottish Rugby International.

    Remembered with honour
    CABARET-ROUGE BRITISH CEMETERY, SOUCHEZ

    Lieutenant William Middleton Wallace, born 1892, Edinburgh, educated at Edinburgh Academy and King's College, Cambridge, was one of the best schoolboy athletes of his day; Rugby 'Blue' for Cambridge in the Varsity matches of 1912 and 1913 (full back); played for Scotland against England, 1913 and 1914 and also against Wales and Ireland 1914.

    He was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade, 15 August 1914 and left for France on the 30th, just 15 days later. He may have been the first undergraduate at the front. Wallace served with the 1st Bn. Rifle Brigade until 13 February 1915 and was present at the Battle of the Aisne, at Frelinghien and at Ploegsteert Wood.
    He became an Observer with 2 Squadron, 1st Wing, Royal Flying Corps, 14 February 1915 and saw considerable action in the Armentières - La Bassée area including Neuve Chapelle, Aubers and Rue de Ouvert; Lieutenant 21 July. Lieutenant Wallace was killed in action whilst flying as an Observer with 2 Squadron at Sainghin near Lille 22 August 1915

    http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=2978082
     
  2. Dolphin

    Dolphin New Member

    Wallace, William Middleton played for Scotland

    Internationals: 4: 1913 E- ; 1914 W- I- E-

    William Wallace was born on 23 September 1892 in Edinburgh, son of Robert Walker and Mary Parker Wallace.

    Played as a Full back for: Edinburgh Academy, Cambridge University (Blue 1912-1913), Barbarians

    Remarks: Played for Cambridge University (0-24) v the 1912-1913 Springboks. Played for Barbarians: v Cardiff (5-6) v Cheltenham (19-5) in 1914. He was one of the six members of the last pre-War Scottish team who were killed in action.

    War service: Second Lieutenant, 5th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps (the Prince Consort’s Own) from 15 August 1914. Later Lieutenant, No 2 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.

    He was killed on 22 August 1915 at Sainghem, near Lille, France when flying as an observer with 2nd Lieutenant C Gallie [pilot] in BE 2c No 2034; the aircraft ‘fell like a stone’. He is buried in Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, Pas de Calais, France [Grave XII. D. 11.].
     

    Attached Files:

  3. Andy Pay

    Andy Pay Member

    His Rifle Brigade obit from the 1915 Rifle Brigade Chronicle, listed under officers attached to Royal Flying Corps along with 2nd Lt. Hon. F.W. Rodney & Capt. R. Cholmondeley.

    Andy
     

    Attached Files:

  4. Dolphin

    Dolphin New Member

    Andy

    Thanks for that. Probably a direct hit by flak (flugzeug abwehr kanone). It didn't happen often, but was fatal when it did.

    Gareth
     

Share This Page