110 years after being killed in Gallipoli, a Lions and Wallabies hero can be remembered with medal in AUNZ fit

One hundred and ten years after he used to be killed at the opening day of the Gallipoli landings in 1915, Blair Swannell – considered one of most effective two males to have performed for the British and Irish Lions and the Wallabies – can be remembered and celebrated all the way through this yr’s sequence for the primary time.

Rugby Australia and the British and Irish Lions introduced on Thursday morning that the participant of the fit within the AUNZ invitational and Lions fixture in Adelaide on July 12 can be awarded the inaugural Blair Swannell Medal.

Swannell, who used to be 39 when he used to be shot down in Gallipoli, holds the document for essentially the most Test wins as a Lion (six from seven).

After emigrating to Australia, the previous back-rower additionally performed within the Wallabies’ first conflict in opposition to the All Blacks in New Zealand – a 14-3 loss in Dunedin.

Swannell, an adventurer who fought within the Boer War and later sailed up the coast of the United States and Canada on the lookout for gold, additionally performed for Norths rugby membership and is easily remembered at St Josephs College in Hunter’s Hill.

Swannell coached the First XV for 3 seasons between 1905 and 1907 – Joeys received the GPS premiership in all 3 years.

After he hung up the boots, Swannell briefly established himself as a forthright columnist, joined the referee ranks and was a Sydney rugby administrator.

Along the best way, Swannell evolved rather the recognition for his no-frills angle.

Rugged, bodily or even grimy at the box, there used to be not anything vanilla about Swannell.

“A straight shooter, he seemed to be an individual who people liked or vehemently opposed,” Swannell’s profile at the Classic Wallabies web site reads.

“There seemed to have been no middle ground.”

Tom Richards, who used to be a stretcher bearer at Gallipoli and used to be in the past regarded as the one individual to have performed for each the Lions and Wallabies, added to the vibrant description of Swannell.

“I am really grieved, as ‘Swanny’ with all his faults etc was quite all right, though he was a character seldom met,” Richards wrote in his diary, which used to be later printed in Greg Growden’s e book: Wallabies at War.

The Wallabies and Lions play for the Tom Richards Cup.

The Wallabies pose with the Tom Richards Cup after defeating the Lions within the 3rd Test in Sydney 29-23, 2001. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wilson/ALLSPORT

As marvellously recounted through Growden, Swannell’s loss of life used to be cited through Australia’s authentic conflict correspondent, C. E. W. Bean, in his early Gallipoli dispatches.

“I believe Major Swannell of the 1st Battalion was picked out by a sharpshooter that day while he was fighting like a tiger. He had said on board ship the day before he knew he was going to be killed. He fought that day as a footballer fights in a good Rugger scrum – as he had fought in many an interstate and international match – and you cannot say more than that,” Bean wrote.

While the Tom Richards Cup used to be first performed for in 2001, Swannell’s popularity comes years after his nice nephew, Robert, started writing to Rugby Australia in 2017, urging the governing frame to seem nearer at his grandfather, who was the 72nd individual to play for the Wallabies.

Blair Swannell (some distance left) with fellow AIF officials in Egypt.

And act RA has performed through making sure his title and legacy continues.

“On the battlefield and sporting field, Blair Swannell holds a unique place in Australian and British history, having represented both nations militarily and in rugby,” Rugby Australia leader government and previous Wallaby Phil Waugh mentioned. 

“It is with deep honour and respect that Rugby Australia and the British and Irish Lions recognise Blair’s extraordinary life this Anzac Day – 110 years to the day since he made the ultimate sacrifice on the shores of Gallipoli – by commissioning an award in his name for this year’s historic Lions tour.

“The Player of the Match medal for the AUNZ v Lions match at Adelaide Oval will be awarded to the footballer who best exemplifies skill, courage and commitment, the very traits that defined Blair on both sides of the world.”

The British and Irish Lions CEO Ben Calveley added: “Blair Swannell’s legacy is an incredible part of our 137-year history and this medal is a fitting way to remember Blair’s memory.

“The Invitational Australia & New Zealand match in Adelaide is set to be a very special match and I am also delighted that Blair’s family will join us for the occasion.”

Robert Swannell, who started researching extra about his nice uncle in 2015, came upon previous this yr that the participant of the fit within the AUNZ sport would play for a medal in honour of circle of relatives member.

“I am really delighted,” Swannell advised Iain Payten in his very good tale in The Sydney Morning Herald.

“I am just very, very pleased that we have got to the point we have got to. In a way, its part of the tale of determination that Blair had in his own way, in his lifetime.

“This medal for the Lions against combined Australia and New Zealand, it’s a rather good idea. Blair played for Australia against New Zealand, and obviously, the ANZAC element is very special in this case.”