John Kendall-Carpenter
Encyclopedia
John MacGregor Kendall-Carpenter (1926 - 1990) was an England rugby union
international who won 23 caps as a back row forward between 1949 and 1954. He subsequently served as President of the Rugby Football Union
(1980 - 1981), the England Schools Rugby Football Union (1985-90) and Cornwall (1984-87). He was also Chairman of the committee that organised the first Rugby World Cup
in 1987.
He was one of only four Cornishmen to captain the England Rugby team - the others were Vic Roberts, Richard Sharp
and Phil Vickery.
and Oxford University where he won his Blue playing in The Varsity Match
at Twickenham
for three successive years from 1948 - 1950. David Frost, the former Guardian rugby correspondent, recalled a famous tackle in the 1949 Varsity match when John Kendall-Carpenter preserved Oxford's 3-0 winning lead by thwarting J.V. Smith, the Cambridge centre, in the dying moments of the game. Smith slipped his man, side-stepped two coverers and seemed certain to cross at the corner and bring at least an equalising try (three points in those days), reported the Guardian. Cambridge hats were already in the air and Oxford's supporters were dumb with horror but then at the last possible moment Kendall-Carpenter dived and took man and ball into touch a yard from the line.
He appeared as a club player for Penzance & Newlyn, forerunners of the Cornish Pirates
, before moving on to Bath
, where he was dubbed "Prince of Cornerflaggers", while he taught rugby at both Clifton College
and Wellington School
. Subsequently he became the Headmaster of Cranbrook School
in Kent, followed by Eastbourne College
in 1970 before returning to Wellington School
as Headmaster in 1973.
On 24 October 2011, at the IRB Awards
ceremony in Auckland
, Kendall-Carpenter was posthumously recognised for his role in the creation of the Rugby World Cup with induction into the IRB Hall of Fame
.
at Illogan in 1981: - Kendall-Carpenter, John Macgregor (D) (Onen A Bymthek)
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
international who won 23 caps as a back row forward between 1949 and 1954. He subsequently served as President of the Rugby Football Union
Rugby Football Union
The Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871 as the governing body for the sport of rugby union, and performed as the international governing body prior to the formation of the International Rugby Board in 1886...
(1980 - 1981), the England Schools Rugby Football Union (1985-90) and Cornwall (1984-87). He was also Chairman of the committee that organised the first Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
in 1987.
He was one of only four Cornishmen to captain the England Rugby team - the others were Vic Roberts, Richard Sharp
Richard Sharp
Richard Adrian William Sharp from Cornwall, was educated at Blundell's School and at Balliol College, University of Oxford. He was a former Cornish rugby player at Redruth R.F.C., Wasps FC, Bristol FC and England rugby union fly-half and captain. He played for England while at Oxford and led...
and Phil Vickery.
Career
He was educated at Truro SchoolTruro School
Truro School is a mixed independent school located in the city of Truro, Cornwall, UK. The current Headmaster is Paul Smith. Deputy Headteachers are Nick Fisher and Anita Firth . Phil Brewer is Assistant Head and Head of Sixth Form...
and Oxford University where he won his Blue playing in The Varsity Match
The Varsity Match
The Varsity Match is an annual rugby union fixture played between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge in England. By tradition, the match is held on the second Tuesday of December. In 2005, however, this changed, and the match was on Tuesday 6 December. In 2007, it was held on a Thursday for...
at Twickenham
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is a stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is the largest rugby union stadium in the United Kingdom and has recently been enlarged to seat 82,000...
for three successive years from 1948 - 1950. David Frost, the former Guardian rugby correspondent, recalled a famous tackle in the 1949 Varsity match when John Kendall-Carpenter preserved Oxford's 3-0 winning lead by thwarting J.V. Smith, the Cambridge centre, in the dying moments of the game. Smith slipped his man, side-stepped two coverers and seemed certain to cross at the corner and bring at least an equalising try (three points in those days), reported the Guardian. Cambridge hats were already in the air and Oxford's supporters were dumb with horror but then at the last possible moment Kendall-Carpenter dived and took man and ball into touch a yard from the line.
He appeared as a club player for Penzance & Newlyn, forerunners of the Cornish Pirates
Cornish Pirates
The Cornish Pirates are an English professional rugby union team who play in the Championship, the second level of the English rugby union pyramid, and are the premier Cornish rugby club. Formerly known as Penzance & Newlyn Pirates, the Cornish Pirates play their home games and train at their...
, before moving on to Bath
Bath Rugby
Bath Rugby is an English professional rugby union club that is based in the city of Bath. They play in the Aviva Premiership league...
, where he was dubbed "Prince of Cornerflaggers", while he taught rugby at both Clifton College
Clifton College
Clifton College is a co-educational independent school in Clifton, Bristol, England, founded in 1862. In its early years it was notable for emphasising science in the curriculum, and for being less concerned with social elitism, e.g. by admitting day-boys on equal terms and providing a dedicated...
and Wellington School
Wellington School
Wellington School may refer to:* Wellington School, Bebington* Wellington School, Shropshire, the former name of Wrekin College* Wellington School * Wellington School, Somerset* Wellington School, Midlothian, Scotland...
. Subsequently he became the Headmaster of Cranbrook School
Cranbrook School, Kent
Cranbrook School is a co-educational boarding and day grammar school located in Cranbrook, Kent in South East England.-Brief history:Founded in 1518 for poor boys of the town, it received a charter from Queen Elizabeth I in 1574. Although in 1817 the town petitioned the Master of the Rolls,...
in Kent, followed by Eastbourne College
Eastbourne College
Eastbourne College is a British co-educational independent school for day and boarding pupils aged 13–18, situated on the south coast of England, included in the Tatler list of top public schools. The College's current headmaster is Simon Davies. The College was founded by the Duke of Devonshire...
in 1970 before returning to Wellington School
Wellington School
Wellington School may refer to:* Wellington School, Bebington* Wellington School, Shropshire, the former name of Wrekin College* Wellington School * Wellington School, Somerset* Wellington School, Midlothian, Scotland...
as Headmaster in 1973.
On 24 October 2011, at the IRB Awards
IRB Awards
The IRB Awards are given out annually by the International Rugby Board, the worldwide governing body for rugby union, for major achievement in the sport. They were first awarded in 2001...
ceremony in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, Kendall-Carpenter was posthumously recognised for his role in the creation of the Rugby World Cup with induction into the IRB Hall of Fame
IRB Hall of Fame
The IRB Hall of Fame is a hall of fame operated by the International Rugby Board that recognises special achievement and contribution to the sport of rugby union. The IRB Hall of Fame covers players, coaches, administrators, match officials, institutions and other individuals...
.
Legacy
After his death a John Kendall-Carpenter Trust Fund was established. Linked to the Cornwall Rugby Football Union, the fund exists to help young people up to the age of 21 in sport both in Cornwall and elsewhere in the world. He was also honoured by his fellow Cornishmen by being appointed a Bard of Gorseth KernowGorseth Kernow
Gorseth Kernow is a non-political Cornish organisation, which exists to maintain the national Celtic spirit of Cornwall in the United Kingdom.-History:...
at Illogan in 1981: - Kendall-Carpenter, John Macgregor (D) (Onen A Bymthek)