Blair Swannell
Australian rugby union player
Died when: 39 years 248 days (476 months)Star Sign: Leo
Blair Inskip Swannell (20 August 1875 – 25 April 1915) was an English-born international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Northampton, and internationally for the British Isles and later Australia.
He was invited to tour with the British Isles on their 1899 tour of Australia and then their 1904 tour of Australia and New Zealand.
He played a total of seven Test matches on these tours, and scored one Test try – against Australia during the 1904 tour.
After settling in Australia, Swannell played a single game for his new home when they faced New Zealand.He was viewed as a violent player, and this made his unpopular with other players.
Former Australian captain Herbert Moran said of him that "... his conception of rugby was one of trained violence".During the Second Boer War, Swannell served in the British Army in South Africa, rising to the rank of lieutenant.
During the First World War he transferred from the Australian Army to the Australian Imperial Force in September 1914; and, retaining his rank of captain, he served with the 1st Battalion.
Promoted to major on 1 January 1915, he was killed on 25 April 1915 while taking part in the Landing at Anzac Cove, during the first day of the Gallipoli Campaign.
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Australian rugby union player
Australian rugby union player
Australian rugby union player