Bernard Francis Smyth (11 February 1891 – 15 July 1972) was a New Zealand rugby union player.

Frank Smyth
Birth nameBernard Francis Smyth
Date of birth(1891-02-11)11 February 1891
Place of birthBoatmans, Buller, New Zealand
Date of death15 July 1972(1972-07-15) (aged 81)
Place of deathChristchurch, New Zealand
Height1.77 m (5 ft 9+12 in)[1]
Weight78 kg (172 lb)
Notable relative(s)Peter Dunne (grandson)
Occupation(s)Bricklayer,[1] publican
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1915 Canterbury 1 ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1922 New Zealand 0 (0)

Playing career edit

A hooker, Smyth played a single representative game for Canterbury in 1915, one match for the South Island in 1922 and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, also in 1922. He played three matches for the All Blacks but did not appear in any internationals.[2]

Military service edit

Smyth served in the No. 3 Field Company, New Zealand Engineers, during World War I. He enlisted in December 1915 as a sapper, and had risen to the rank of sergeant by the time of his discharge in June 1919.[1] He saw action at Ypres, Passchendaele and the Somme,[2] and was mentioned in dispatches, by Sir Douglas Haig on 7 April 1918.[3]

Death and legacy edit

Smyth died in Christchurch on 15 July 1972, and was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Bromley.[2][4] His grandson is the politician, Peter Dunne.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Smyth, Frank – WW1 4/2138 – Army". Archives New Zealand. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  2. ^ a b c Knight, Lindsay. "Frank Smyth". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  3. ^ "No. 30706". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 May 1918. p. 6204.
  4. ^ "Cemeteries database". Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  5. ^ Davison, Isaac (21 August 2014). "Mr Boring? What about my bow-ties?". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 August 2014.