News of former players and members

We are often asked for help trying to trace former players etc, and sometimes we are sent news of former players.

If you have some news we can put on the site or if you want help or can offer help, please email webmaster@londonscottish.com

Ron Rattray Susan Rattray writes
I am trying to find out when my husband - who passed away in March
2000 - was playing national/international rugby.
 
He was born in 1934 and was in the Royal Navy from 1950-1977.  He
played for The Royal Navy, London Scottish when in London,  and I
believe for Scotland but I have no idea of the dates.  
Can anyone help please?
 
[the editor writes: I'm pretty sure Ron Rattray never played a full international; if he did the record books have ignored him!]
 
TS (Tom) Ramsay Alastair Ramsay  asks "I wonder if you could help me. My father, TS (Tom) Ramsay, played for London Scottish in the 1950s and was a selector in the 1960s.  He died in 1973 and I was trying to find out some more about his life, find some old photos and speak to any people who knew him etc.  I would greatly appreciate any help.   (February 2006)
Kenneth Arnott Helen Dean asks: "Just wondered if you had any information on Kenneth Arnott b 1937 who I believe played a few games for you around 1960?"
Albert "Bertie" Wade John Wade has written to ask: "Do you have any records of an Albert (Bertie) Wade who played for the London Scottish around 1908" 
Chris Mackintosh Fred Whitelaw has written ask about Chris Mackintosh.

"I'm trying to find out a little about Chris Mackintosh.

"In his fifties, he was president of a Swiss based UK ski club and he has cropped up in some biographical research I'm doing concerning the British personalities involved in introducing skiing to the alps from 1880 to about 1939.

"Such information as I've found has been misleading. His ski club obituary said he was a double Oxford blue, (athletics and rugby) and that he was in the Olympics of 1924 doing the long jump. It also indicated he was many times Scottish International at Rugby.

"However, web searches I've done in the last few days seem to suggest he was a high jumper, not a long jumper and they do confirm that he was in the Oxford Athletics team in 1923 and 24.

"His appearances for Scotland at rugby are not numerous, indeed seem to number just the once in 1924. He is listed on the Scottish RUFC web site as being a member of London Scottish. At present I have not found any independent reference to him as an Olympic jumper (whether high or long!).

"Do you have any info on him? Did he play for London Scottish, if so how long in the first team? What position(s) did he play. Anything notable to report? 

"He sounds like a C B Fry character, good at almost every sport. As a ski racer he was reported as "potentially the greatest of them all" by Sir Arnold Lunn, doyen of British skiing between about 1920 - 1960. However Chris didn't train, and when racing always took the high risk line and as a result fell much too frequently because 'it was more fun that way'.

"Anything you can add to my sparse information would be greatly appreciated."

Ronald Dunn Jennie Cole writes - "I am writing to let you know that my grandfather Ronald William Dunn passed away on 21st June aged 91.

"He used to play for London Scottish in the 1930s and had a couple of trials for Scotland. We have been looking through his things and have found many old pictures of the team, newspaper cuttings from the Daily Telegraph, Fixtures books, ties and other memorabilia from London Scottish. 

"Maybe you have a historian who would be interested in seeing some of the things we have"

James Hinks Matthew Waters writes:

Whilst researching my family tree I have discovered that my Great Grandfather, James Hinks (Born 1861 in Notting Hill, Middlesex), played for London Scottish at some time. At the time of the 1881 census, James was living away from his family in Lauder, Berwickshire, in London. He was working at William J. Attfield Drapers, 29 Commercial St., Whitechapel, as a Silk Salesman. Are there any records which can verify this information.

Brian Fratel Leslie Howieson writes: 

"Looking to contact Brian Fratel.  Not sure what side he was in thirds I think, he introduced me to the great game and It would be great to know how he is. thanks for any help." 

Stewart Robertson This request comes in from Patricia King for news of an old player:

"I would like to have news of old work colleague, Stewart Robertson, who was a friend of Andy Hinshelwood. Have you any contact details for Stewart, please? He lived in Putney in the late 60s/early 70s and played for the third/fourth team sometimes."

Duncan Carson

We have received the following news from the daughter of Duncan Carson, who was a very active member of London Scottish since the 1950's having played for the club and was also press secretary for a time. 
"Unfortunately he died suddenly on June 2nd of a heart attack ( he had a heart attack several years before and was on medication with a pace maker).   My dad used to take me down the club when I was young and when we lived in Whitton, we moved back to his native north east when I was 6 but I was always brought up to support the club and Scotland - I have a London Scottish shirt which is about 10 years old now and has seen many a good day out at Murrayfield.
I would like you to make this news known throughout the club especially to the older members as even though we announced my dads death in the Daily Telegraph I am concerned that old friends of his still do not know.
 I am currently in Australia with my husband but my other 2 sisters are still in Newcastle and are also rugby fans."

Thanks
Sam Gordon (nee Carson)
Fergus Horsburgh

Having seen the item in LSFC news for Dec 2001 on the death of Fergus Horsburgh, I am wondering whether anyone can tell me whether his brother George is still alive, and if so his whereabouts.

I am working on a book on Scottish rugby and this information could prove most helpful.

Thanks in advance,
Colin McKinnon