Arthur Wilson (rugby union) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Arthur Wilson

Birth name	Arthur James Wilson
Date of birth	(1886-12-29)29 December 1886
Place of birth	Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom
Date of death	31 July 1917(1917-07-31) (aged 30)
Place of death	Pilckem Ridge, Passchendaele salient, Belgium
Rugby union career
Position(s) Forward Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1909 England 1 (0)
Military career
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Private
Unit	12 Royal Fusiliers
Battles/wars	First World War Battle of Passchendaele Battle of Pilckem Ridge   †

Arthur James Wilson (born December 29, 1886 – died July 31, 1917) was a talented British rugby union player. He competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics and also played for the England national team. Arthur was part of the British rugby team that won a silver medal at the Olympics.

Arthur Wilson's Early Life and Education

Arthur Wilson was born on December 29, 1886, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. His parents were Henry and Emily Wilson. He went to Glenalmond College and later studied at the Camborne School of Mines.

After finishing his studies, Arthur became a mining engineer. He worked in the Gold Coast Colony, which is now Ghana. He also worked as a tea planter in India.

Arthur Wilson's Rugby Career

The Cornwall rugby team in 1908, which Arthur Wilson was a part of.

Arthur Wilson was a key player for the Cornwall rugby team. He played for them seventeen times. In 1908, his team reached the County Championship final for the first time. They played against Durham on March 28, 1908, in Redruth, Cornwall. Cornwall won the match with a score of 17–3.

Playing at the 1908 London Olympics

In 1908, the Olympic Games were held in London. Rugby was included as an event. Many international teams were supposed to play, but most withdrew. The Wallabies (Australia's team) were touring at the time. They were the only team left to play.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) asked the Cornwall team to represent the United Kingdom. This was so Australia wouldn't win by default. The match was held on October 26. The day before, the Cornwall team traveled to London by train. They celebrated a lot on the way. On the day of the game, they toured the city.

The Olympic rugby match took place at White City Stadium. Australia won the game 32–3. The Times newspaper said Cornwall's players struggled. They reported that the forwards had some good moments, but the backs were too slow. An Australian newspaper, The Age, also noted that Cornwall's forwards were good. However, they said the Australian backs were faster and more skilled. Arthur Wilson was the youngest player on the Cornwall team at 21 years old.

International Rugby Matches

Arthur Wilson also played for the England national team. Here is one of his international appearances:

Opponent	Score	Result	Date	Location
Ireland	5–11	Won	February 13, 1909	Lansdowne Road

Arthur Wilson's Military Service

When the First World War began, Arthur Wilson joined the army. He first enlisted in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Later, he served as a Private in the 12th battalion of the Royal Fusiliers.

Sadly, Arthur was killed during the Battle of Pilckem Ridge in Belgium. He was 29 years old. His name is remembered at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, a memorial for soldiers who died in the war.

See Also

• List of international rugby union players killed in action during the First World War
• List of Olympians killed in World War I