Charles Sherrard
Encyclopedia
Charles Sherrard RE was a rugby union international who represented England
from 1871 to 1872. Additionally, along with Lieutenant Charles Arthur Crompton
RE, he was the first member of the armed forces to represent their national side.
. He attended Rugby School
, and was a member of Hutchinson House, leaving in 1865.
, which by the time Sherrard was playing was dominated by old boys from Rugby School
, amongst whom was counted Sherrard himself. He was selected for the very first international in 1871, alongside his club captain Frederick Stokes
and fellow Royal Engineer Charles Crompton. He made his international debut on March 27th, 1871 at Edinburgh
in the Scotland
and England
match. Scotland won that match but Sherrard was also involved in the return match on February 5th, 1872 at The Oval
which England won.
, in Chatham from 1882-8. He served in the South African War, in 1879 and was decorated with the Medal with Clasp for that campaign. In 1901 he was commanding the Chatham Sub-District and was a member of the United Service Club
.
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
from 1871 to 1872. Additionally, along with Lieutenant Charles Arthur Crompton
Charles Arthur Crompton
Lieutenant Charles Arthur Crompton RE, was a rugby union international who played for England in the first rugby international against Scotland in 1871...
RE, he was the first member of the armed forces to represent their national side.
Early life
Charles Sherrard was born on December 25, 1849 in London, the son of James Corry Sherrard, Esq. of ReigateReigate
Reigate is a historic market town in Surrey, England, at the foot of the North Downs, and in the London commuter belt. It is one of the main constituents of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead...
. He attended Rugby School
Rugby School
Rugby School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England. It is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain.-History:...
, and was a member of Hutchinson House, leaving in 1865.
Rugby union career
Sherrard played for Blackheath F.C., an open membership club originally set up for the old boys of Blackheath Proprietary SchoolBlackheath Proprietary School
The Blackheath Proprietary School was an educational establishment founded in 1830 that was noted in the contemporary press as an extremely successful school in terms of its education but is perhaps most notable for its profound influence on the game of football, in both Association and Rugby codes...
, which by the time Sherrard was playing was dominated by old boys from Rugby School
Rugby School
Rugby School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England. It is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain.-History:...
, amongst whom was counted Sherrard himself. He was selected for the very first international in 1871, alongside his club captain Frederick Stokes
Frederick Stokes
Frederick Stokes may refer to:*Frederick Stokes , the first captain of the England national rugby union team*Sir Frederick Wilfred Scott Stokes, KBE , inventor and civil engineer...
and fellow Royal Engineer Charles Crompton. He made his international debut on March 27th, 1871 at Edinburgh
Raeburn Place
Raeburn Place is the main street of Stockbridge, Edinburgh, and the name of the playing fields there.-Rugby:The first international rugby football game was played on the playing fields at Raeburn Place on 27 March 1871 between England and Scotland. It was won by Scotland, though England got revenge...
in the Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
and England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
match. Scotland won that match but Sherrard was also involved in the return match on February 5th, 1872 at The Oval
The Oval
The Kia Oval, still commonly referred to by its original name of The Oval, is an international cricket ground in Kennington, in the London Borough of Lambeth. In the past it was also sometimes called the Kennington Oval...
which England won.
Army service
Sherrard was gazetted to the Royal Engineers in 1870 rising to the rank of Captain in 1882, through to Major in 1888, Lieutenant-Colonel in 1895 and finally Colonel by 1899. He also served as the Instructor in Fortifications, at the Royal School of Military EngineeringRoyal School of Military Engineering
The Royal School of Military Engineering is the main training establishment for the British Army's Royal Engineers. After they have successfully completed their Phase 1 - Basic Soldier Training, members of the Corps of Royal Engineers attend 3 RSME, at Minley for Phase 2a - Combat Engineering...
, in Chatham from 1882-8. He served in the South African War, in 1879 and was decorated with the Medal with Clasp for that campaign. In 1901 he was commanding the Chatham Sub-District and was a member of the United Service Club
United Service Club
The United Service Club was a London gentlemen's club, now dissolved, which was established in 1815 and was disbanded in 1978. Its clubhouse was at 116 Pall Mall, on the corner of Waterloo Place....
.