Clifton RFC History 1940-1950

Above fixture list for the 1st season after World War 2. Mostly college sides were played at the start until other club sides had reformed. There was a practice game played against Bristol Saracens before the match v Clifton College on October 6th.

Above the Clifton XV that played Clifton College on October 6th 1945. The first game after WW2. The team included Jim Bryan of Bristol, three University men and three lads from HMS Vansittart, a depot ship in the harbour. Putch Beloe was on leave and played despite a broken finger.

Above HMS Vansittart. She was sold for scrap in February 1946.

Above Clifton College rugby caps of 1945 (left) and 1915 (right). The 1945 cap belonged to Harry Dane Clissold born 26th June 1927. Clifton College Sept 1941-1945. Died 4th March 1991. he was grand-nephew of Clifton College and Clifton RFC player Harry Clissold who was one of the 44 players to die in World War 1. The 1915 cap belonged to Col Kenneth George Clissold born 21st September 1898. Clifton College Jan 1912-15, died 24th February 1958. nephew of Harry Clissold.

Above the 1945 Clifton College side captained by John Nicholas Whittaker Musson.

Above 1946 Annual Dinner cover and menu held at The Victoria Rooms on April 4th 1946.

Back Row (L-R): A.B.Sellman, ?, ?, , W.Gall, ?, ?, ?, ?, A.F.B.Ham. Front Row (L-R) : ?, ?, ?, W.T.Gresham, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?.

Above Clifton XV dated 6th April 1946.

1946-47

Above Jubilee Dinner cover and menu held at the Will's Recreation Hall on 29th March 1947.

to be added

Above Clifton XV dated 22nd March 1947.

1948 - Dropped goal reduced from 4 points to 3 points.

1948-49 - John (Jack) Arthur Gregory selected for England (Wing) while playing for Blackheath. Born 22nd June 1923. Not sure of his Clifton playing dates.

	INTERNATIONAL RECORD: England Appearances 1949	Career Record: P1, W0, D0, L1, Tries 0, Cons 0, Pen 0, DropG 0
	15th Jan 1949 v Wales (Cardiff Arms Park)(FN) L 3-9
	OTHER RECORD: Barbarians Appearances 1952-53	Career Record: P2, W2, D0, L0, Tries 1, Cons 0, Pen 0, DropG 0
	6th March l952 v East Midlands (Northampton) W 9-3 3rd April 1953 v Penarth (Penarth) W 13-3

He was educated at St. Andrew's College , Dublin and Rydal School. He was banned for 1 year from playing rugby union after having played rugby league for Huddersfield in 1947. He was All-Ireland 100 yards and 220 yards champion from 1947 to 1949. A silver medalist in the 4x100m relay team at the 1948 Olympics in London. The medals were briefly upgraded to gold when the American team were disqualified but on appeal the winners were reinstated. He also appeared for the Great Britain relay team in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics but they came 4th. He raced for the Dublin athletic club Crusaders He joined Clifton from the Dublin club Wanderers but quickly moved to Blackheath where he won his only England cap. In 1949 he joined Bristol where he became captain in 1952. He appeared twice for the Barbarians. His only try for the Barbarians was scored against the East Midlands. He retired in 1954.

For more details on Jack Gregory click here

1949-1950

Above programme for the Gloucestershire v Middlesex match played on February 19th 1949 with Clifton's J.E.D.Wilcox on the Glocestershire side. Also ex Clifton player Jack Gregory on the Gloucestershire side.

Programme cover and teamsheet for the Burnham Xv v Ben Tuttiets XV played on 5th April 1950.