Frank Smyth

Bernard Francis Smyth (11 February 1891 – 15 July 1972) was a New Zealand rugby union player.

Not to be confused with Frank Smythe or Frank Smith.

Frank Smyth
Birth nameBernard Francis Smyth
Date of birth(1891-02-11)11 February 1891
Place of birthBoatmans, Buller, New Zealand
Date of death15 July 1972(1972-07-15) (aged 81)
Place of deathChristchurch, New Zealand
Height1.77 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in)[1]
Weight78 kg (172 lb)
Notable relative(s)Peter Dunne (grandson)
Occupation(s)Bricklayer,[1] publican
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1915 Canterbury 1 ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1922 New Zealand 0 (0)

Playing career

A hooker, Smyth played a single representative game for Canterbury in 1915, one match for the South Island in 1922 and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, also in 1922. He played three matches for the All Blacks but did not appear in any internationals.[2]

Military service

Smyth served in the No. 3 Field Company, New Zealand Engineers, during World War I. He enlisted in December 1915 as a sapper, and had risen to the rank of sergeant by the time of his discharge in June 1919.[1] He saw action at Ypres, Passchendaele and the Somme,[2] and was mentioned in dispatches, by Sir Douglas Haig on 7 April 1918.[3]

Death and legacy

Smyth died in Christchurch on 15 July 1972, and was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Bromley.[2][4] His grandson is the politician, Peter Dunne.[5]

References
  1. "Smyth, Frank – WW1 4/2138 – Army". Archives New Zealand. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  2. Knight, Lindsay. "Frank Smyth". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  3. "No. 30706". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 May 1918. p. 6204.
  4. "Cemeteries database". Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  5. Davison, Isaac (21 August 2014). "Mr Boring? What about my bow-ties?". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 August 2014.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.