BRIGADIER FRANK COUTTS CBE
Posted: 21/Oct/08
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Scottish Rugby is saddened to learn of the death of past president and former Scotland internationalist Frank Coutts CBE DL. He was 90.

Born in Glasgow, he was educated at Glasgow Academy and later became a Brigadier in the Army; the subject of two of his acclaimed books, One Blue Bonnet and The Golden Thread.

Formerly with the Metropolitan Police, Frank subsequently joined the army and served with the King's Own Scottish Borderers as a platoon commander during the Second World War.

A decorated and celebrated soldier, he later became Colonel of the Regiment in 1970.

A lock forward, Frank played for Melrose, the Army, London Scottish, Glasgow Academicals and the Barbarians during a long and distinguished playing career in rugby.

After retiring from the army, he spent his time tirelessly doing charitable work, most notably for his favourite charity, the Seagull Trust, and also campaigned on behalf of the Armed Forces including backing the Save Our Scottish Regiments.

It was during this time he also became General Secretary of The Royal British Legion Scotland and also of the Earl Haig Fund.

He was elected vice president of the SRU between1976 to 1977 before becoming president the following year.

A service to celebrate his extraordinary life is to be held at Canongate, Edinburgh on Monday 27 October at 12.30pm.

This article was posted on 22-Oct-2008, 07:35 by Hugh Barrow.