GHK News - The View from the First Man Over the Top

Surrounded by Greatness in Anniesland

"One minute can decide the outcome of the battle, one hour - the outcome of the campaign, and one day - the fate of the country." - Field Marshal Prince Aleksandr Vasilyevich Suvorov

Men, this week the scribe for this weekly brethren has found himself in the midst of an assortment of groups ranging from within the creative bastions of academia to exceptional evening meal liaisons with an American, a bobble hat and a human ‘Charger’. Such meetings of minds have left this individual considering the extraordinary characters of which only our great game of Rugby Union can throw up.

One such highly regarded character recently introduced this amanuensis to another named Major Blair Inskip Swannell [20 August 1875 – 25 April 1915]. A man who would have undoubtedly qualified to play in the famous Blue and Green jersey.

Considered to be a tough and courageous forward with outspoken opinions, Swannell played hard on the field and gave just as much enthusiasm to the celebrations after a game. The basic requirements of a true Il-Capitano.

Swannell had a reputation for pushing the boundaries of acceptable play and for dubious personal hygiene, always turning up for training sessions in a filthy, once white, jersey with badges and dates of all the countries he had represented on it. His prized possession was an also once white pair of football breeches, which he refused to wash, and which he wore in every match.

In the end, he wore an Australian uniform as stubbornly as he had worn an Australian jersey. The official Australian historian Charles Bean recounts that Swannell had a premonition of his death before landing; “he realised that he would play this game as he had played Rugby Football - with his whole heart. He was early in the field and found his end storming the goal on that April morning at Gallipoli. He was awarded the Military Cross and is still there holding on.

It was always said of a Roman emperor that he should die on his feet. Swannell, no doubt, thought a footballer should perish following on. His hard visaged comrades said he died with the ruling passion strong upon him; still putting in the boot. The hard porcelain of his spirit had richer glaze than we had previously perceived; it was love of country.

Dr Herbert Moran, the first Australian Captain, said of Blair, “For me who knew him well this is his epitaph: He never hung out of a ruck".

Padre Dunlop has been back in the Mint and is assembled Swannell types for this week with Assistant Adjutant General Shambilton unsure of the lineout calls. Men, this week we are moving from the Cathedral to Rosslyn Chapel. Tighten your knicker elastic, we’re moving out!

The Regiment for tomorrow’s game against Helensburgh at Ardencaple, 2pm kick-off, is as follows:

15 D ‘Almost the Sheath‘ Whyte
14 C 'I wear a knee brace because it's' Sorlie
13 M ‘Vienna’ Horner
12 D ‘Knöchel-Socken’ Hoffman
11 R ‘You've Lost That' Love [in' Feelin’]
10 J ‘Tam Weir‘ Shannon
9 A ‘Backyard House’ Shedden
1 A ‘Butterbean’ Forbes
2 G ‘Henry Joseph Nasiff Jr’ Reid
3 C ‘Was walking out the Mac and something fell out my arts and craft box. Hope it wasn't’ McLay
4 A ‘Record Pension Deficit’ Drummond
5 H ‘Unforgettable’ Parker
6 E ‘Jedward’ Thow
7 A ‘Mississippi Curriculum Test’ McTavish
8 M ‘The Sheath’ Borthwick

16 R 'Edmund' Brookbanks
17 N 'The Jackal' Kelsey
18 J 'Artur Jorge’ Lynch

Genuine best wishes and a thick slice of Dundee cake to all Anniesland teams this weekend.

Yours as always, running towards the gunfire in front row union, ball in hand and making ground, with a Samoan sidestep, handoff and correct presentation. Never beaten, its best Mizuno boot forward and onto the second phase. With thoughts of Ralgex jerseys and opportunities with armpit hair. Crouch. Touch. Pause. Engage. Heart in the fire. Head in the Icebox. Always look to the left in a photograph, mon frere. Take one for the columbarium-fanciers.

Disco [Cpt.]


Supporting Note: Major Ken Cowan has been spotted on Crow Road with Mathilda, the Queen of the Battlefield.

This article was posted on 11-Dec-2009, 11:18 by Hugh Barrow.