Ernest Roberts (rugby union)

Ernest Roberts

Birth name	Ernest William Roberts
Date of birth	14 November 1878
Place of birth	Lowestoft, Suffolk, England
Date of death	19 November 1933(1933-11-19) (aged 55)
Place of death	Manchester, England
Rugby union career
Position(s) Forward International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1901-1907 England 6 (Pts:0; Tries:0; Conv:0; Pens:0; Drop:0)

Rear Admiral Ernest William Roberts, OBE (1878–1933) was a rugby union international who represented England from 1901 to 1907.[1] He also captained his country.[1] As a Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy, he served in Grand Fleet destroyers during World War I.[2] He was appointed an OBE (Military Division) in 1923.[3]

Biography

Ernest Roberts was born on 14 November 1878 in Lowestoft.[1] He died on 19 November 1933 following an adjourned committee meeting to choose teams for an England trial match.[4] Roberts was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium on 22 November 1933.[5] There is a memorial stone in the churchyard of the parish church of St Mary the Virgin at Dedham, Essex commemorating Roberts, his wife and two children.[6]

The grave of Ernest Roberts in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin, Dedham, Essex

Rugby union career

Roberts made his international debut on 5 January 1901 at Cardiff Arms Park in the Wales vs England match.[1] Of the 6 matches he played for his national side he was on the winning side on 0 occasions.[1] He played his final match for England on 16 March 1907 at Rectory Field, Blackheath in the England vs Scotland match.[1]

References

1. Ernest Roberts Profile on scrum.com
2. "Eng. Rear-Admiral E. W. Roberts". The Times. No. 46606. 20 November 1933. p. 17.
3. "Order Of British Empire - Military Awards". The Times. No. 43357. 2 June 1923. p. 8.
4. "Great Loss To Rugby Union. Selector's Death After Adjourned Meeting". Western Daily Press. No. 25286. 20 November 1933. p. 3. Retrieved 17 February 2019 – via British Newspaper Archive.
5. "Deaths". The Times. No. 46607. 21 November 1933. p. 1.
6. File:Ernest William Roberts grave.jpg