Lieutenant Charles Arthur Crompton RE, was a rugby union international who played for England in the first rugby international against Scotland in 1871. His Irish birth made him also the first Irish-born player to play in a rugby international and he was additionally, along with Lieutenant Charles Sherrard RE, the first member of the armed forces to represent their national side.[3]
Charles Arthur Crompton was born in Cork, Ireland on 21 October 1848. By the age of 13 he was boarding in Congleton, in the Lower Heath area and moved to the London area after leaving school. He entered military service in January 1869,[2] and having gained a place at the Royal School of Military Engineering in Chatham (Brompton Barracks), he played rugby for Blackheath F.C.
Rugby careerEdit
Crompton played for Blackheath F.C., an open membership club originally set up for the old boys of Blackheath Proprietary School, which by the time Crompton was playing was dominated by old boys from Rugby School. Crompton was not one of these Old Rugbeians, but his talent was such that he was a member of the first team in short order. He was selected for the very first international in 1871, alongside his club captain Frederick Stokes. Crompton was not selected for the 1872 return match, in common with the majority of players from the first match. However, his absence may have laid more with the demands of his profession rather than his ability.
Army service and deathEdit
Lieutenant Charles Arthur Crompton, of the Royal Engineers, entered service January 1869.[2] Whilst doing duty with the Bengal Sappers and Miners, at Roorkee, he died on 6 July 1875, at Cherat, Punjaub.[2] The cause was an abscess of the liver.[1] His grave is at Peshawar and his memorial read "Charles Arthur Crompton. Lieutenant Royal Engineers. Died Cherat 6 July 1875. Aged 26 years. Strong, brave and straight-forward, faithful, honourable & true."[4]
ReferencesEdit
^ abcd espn.co.uk stats and profile by Martin Williamson
^ abcdThe United service magazine, Volume 139, Page 3 By Arthur William Alsager Pollock
^Army Players and International Representation (1871 onwards) 1 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
charles, arthur, crompton, lieutenant, rugby, union, international, played, england, first, rugby, international, against, scotland, 1871, irish, birth, made, also, first, irish, born, player, play, rugby, international, additionally, along, with, lieutenant, . Lieutenant Charles Arthur Crompton RE was a rugby union international who played for England in the first rugby international against Scotland in 1871 His Irish birth made him also the first Irish born player to play in a rugby international and he was additionally along with Lieutenant Charles Sherrard RE the first member of the armed forces to represent their national side 3 Arthur CromptonBirth nameCharles Arthur CromptonDate of birth21 October 1848Place of birthCork Ireland 1 Date of death6 July 1875 1875 07 06 aged 26 Place of deathCherat Punjaub 2 UniversitySchool of Military EngineeringOccupation s Professional Soldier 1 Rugby union careerPosition s ForwardSenior careerYearsTeamApps Points to 1871Blackheath F C International careerYearsTeamApps Points 1871England1 1 Contents 1 Early life 2 Rugby career 3 Army service and death 4 ReferencesEarly life EditCharles Arthur Crompton was born in Cork Ireland on 21 October 1848 By the age of 13 he was boarding in Congleton in the Lower Heath area and moved to the London area after leaving school He entered military service in January 1869 2 and having gained a place at the Royal School of Military Engineering in Chatham Brompton Barracks he played rugby for Blackheath F C Rugby career EditCrompton played for Blackheath F C an open membership club originally set up for the old boys of Blackheath Proprietary School which by the time Crompton was playing was dominated by old boys from Rugby School Crompton was not one of these Old Rugbeians but his talent was such that he was a member of the first team in short order He was selected for the very first international in 1871 alongside his club captain Frederick Stokes Crompton was not selected for the 1872 return match in common with the majority of players from the first match However his absence may have laid more with the demands of his profession rather than his ability Army service and death EditLieutenant Charles Arthur Crompton of the Royal Engineers entered service January 1869 2 Whilst doing duty with the Bengal Sappers and Miners at Roorkee he died on 6 July 1875 at Cherat Punjaub 2 The cause was an abscess of the liver 1 His grave is at Peshawar and his memorial read Charles Arthur Crompton Lieutenant Royal Engineers Died Cherat 6 July 1875 Aged 26 years Strong brave and straight forward faithful honourable amp true 4 References Edit a b c d espn co uk stats and profile by Martin Williamson a b c d The United service magazine Volume 139 Page 3 By Arthur William Alsager Pollock Army Players and International Representation 1871 onwards Archived 1 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine Officers Died Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Charles Arthur Crompton amp oldid 1146604798, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
