Book description
Sport and war was inextricably intertwined in the years leading up
to the First World War, as training for play was seen as 'training for
war'. Many members of the Rugby Union formed the officer class of the
Great War, their training, dedication and team spirit helping them
lead men into battle. The Final Whistle plays tribute to the role
played during the First World War by following the poignant stories of
fifteen men who played for Rosslyn Park, based just outside of
Richmond Park, London. These men came from diverse backgrounds, with
players from Australia, Ceylon, Columbia, Ireland and South Africa,
but they were joined together in their love of the game and in the
courage in the face of war. Their stories take us from London to the
Western Front, Mesopotamia, Turkey, Italy and Dublin. They took part
in some of the most famous engagements of the war and many were
honoured for their bravery on the battlefield. This is the first time
their story has been told in full through personal diaries, letters
and previously unpublished photographs. It is a must-read for any
rugby enthusiast or First World War historian.
