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	Bevan Stanishaw Chantrill

Bevan Stanishaw Chantrill. Born 11th February 1897 in Bristol, died 1988 in South Africa.

'Bunny' Chantrill was educated at Bristol Grammar School and played rugby for Clifton before the first world war and for half a season after. He tackled so hard that the local press described the opposition as being 'Chantrilled'. After the war he played for Richmond, Weston-super-Mare and Bristol with whom he gained all his England caps. He played all his England internationals in the 1924 Grand Slam winning side. Injury prevented him from gaining more caps. In 1926 he joined Rosslyn Park before heading to South Africa where he played for Natal before returning to Bristol but finally emigrating to South Africa for good where he died in 1988 aged 91.

His parents, William Ernest Chantrill and Leah Agnetta Northam, were married at St. Andrews Church in Clevedon on May 11th 1895. Their fathers were James Bevan Chantrill and Thomas Liddon Northam, both were Merchants.

Above St. Andrews Church, Clevedon.

In 1901 the Chantrill family lived at Clarence House, Clevedon

Clarence House is a Georgian Grade II listed building situated on the sea front, now a Guest House.

In 1911 the Chantrill's had been married 16 years and were living at 17 Westbury Park, Bristol.

Back Row (L-R): C.S.Lewis (Lineman), C.W.N.Raymond, A.C.George, D.E.Dempster, R.J.T.Campbell, K.E.Church, A.F.Joll, D.L.Gough, F.R.Alderwick, H.Wadlow. Midlle Row: R.M.H.Newbery, H.W.Hitchcock, R.C.Hitchcock, R.C.Werrett-Pickles (Captain), J.A.Holdsworth, M.A.James. On Ground: A.W.B.Winter, A.D.Skeel, B.S.Chantrill.

Above 1912 Bristol Grammar School Rugby XV with Manley James and Bunny Chantrill. The BGS captain Reginald Clarence Werrett Pickles went on to play for Bristol, Gloucestershire and gained 2 England caps in 1922. Chantrill's entry in the 1912 Bristol Grammar School Chronicle says that his tackling was weak and needed improvement. He went on to become famous for tackling so hard.

Above a 16 year old Bunny Chantrill from the group of four Clifton RFC XVs that played Clifton College in 1913.

Above Somerset (unknown date). Bunny seated extreme right

During World War 1 Chantrill served in Queen's Own Hussars, the Gloucestershire Regiment and subsequently the Royal Flying Corps.

On 4th February 1919 Lieutenant Chantrill played in a RAF rugby trial match at Blackheath for the South-East v South-West. The South-West won 14-13

Back Row (L-R): E.Seymour-Bell, G.Hasler, W.F.Gaisford, E.C.Ball, T.N.Bowerbank, E.G.Everett, J.Dommett, R.D.Just. Middle Row: G.Ellis, T.D.Lewis, A.N.Carruthers, Mr.H.W.Beloe, F.M.Arkle, B.S.Chantrill, J.L.W.Ewens. Front Row: J.Bromhead, J.P.Hitchings, L.C.Waters.

Above the Clifton XV towards the end of the 1920-21 season with Bevan (Bunny) Stanishaw Chantrill.

Back Row (L-R): E.Seymour-Bell, ?, T.N.Bowerbank, ?, ?, T.D.Lewis, J.P.Hitchings, R.D.Just. Front Row: L.C.Waters, ?, B.S.Chantrill, A.N.Carruthers, F.M.Arkle, J.L.W.Ewens, W.S.Gaisford, E.C.Evans.

Above future England player, Bunny Chatrills copy of the 1920 Clifton XV.

The rear of the above photo annotated by Bunny Chantrill. The date 1913 refers to the year he joined Clifton. The above address is the Standard Bank, Scottburgh, Natal.

Standing (L-R): G.Payn, L.C.Grice, C.Payn, S.J.M.Atkinson, F.G.Norris, B.Brandon, Norman. Seated: C.E.Adlam, B.S.Chantrill, H.W.Taylor, HRH Prince Arthur of Connaght and Strathern, B.E.Vanderplank, H.N.Knox, V.Alexander. On Ground: H.W.Jackson, L.Foss.

Above the Natal side that played Griquriand West in 1921. Bunny had arrived in Natal 2 weeks earlier and in this match, just after half time, he dislocated his shoulder and spent 2 weeks in hospital in Durban. Natal lost the match 9-3. Prince Arthur was the Govenor General of South Africa

In January 1922 he joined Bristol, making his debut against Cardiff and scoring a try in a rare victory at the Arms Park. He went on to play 126 times for Bristol.

Above the 1923-24 Bristol Rugby side (shown here on a postcard) with ex Clifton player Bunny Chantrill.

The Bristol side stop for the photographers at half time in the first match of the 1923-24 season v Cinderford on September 15th 1923. Bunny Chantrill is 7th left. Bristol won 13-11

On 15th December 1923 Bunny Chantrill played in the second Engalnd trial game at Coventry for Probables v Possibles.

The match v Ireland is the only international that England have played in Northern Ireland. This England grand slam year is probably best known for the match v France when England player Carlton Catcheside seeing his opponent stoop in preparation for a head-on tackle high jumped over the 6' Frenchman Laurent Pardo to score one of his 3 tries on the day. Later in the match Frenchman Jacques Ballarin did the same thing over Bunny Chantrill. This was a dangerous tactic as New Zealander Barney Armit had died performing the same trick in 1899 for Otago against Taraweki. He landed heavily on the back of his head and broke his neck. Paralysed he died 11 weeks later in Dunedin hospital.

Standing (L-R): H.C.Catcheside (Percy Park), B.S.Chantrill (Bristol), H.P.Jacob (Oxford University), R.Cove-Smith (O.M.T's), A.F.Blakiston (Liverpool), H.M.Locke (Birkenhead Park), A.W.Angus (referee) (Scotland). Sitting: G.S.Conway (Rugby), R.Edwards (Newport), A.T.Voyce (Gloucester), W.W.Wakefield (captain) (Leicester), E.Myers (Bradford), L.J.Corbett (Bristol), W.G.E.Luddington (Devonport Services). On Ground:On Ground: A.Robson (Northern), A.T.Young (Cambridge University).

Above the England team v Wales on 19th February 1924 with Bunny Chantrill standing second left. Image coutesy of the RFU.

Above the England team v Wales (from a different angle) on 19th February 1924 with Bunny Chantrill standing second left. The team also featured the legendry Bristol captain Len Corbett (seated second right) whose son, Michael, went on to play for Clifton.

Above Bunny Chatrill makes one of his crunching tackles for England v Wales.

Above England after they had beaten Wales on 19th February 1924 with ex Clifton RFC player Bunny Chantrill second left.

Above England team that played Ireland in Belfast on 9th February 1924 with ex Clifton player Bunny Chantrill. Image coutesy of the RFU.

Above England team that played France at Twickenham on 23rd February 1924 with ex Clifton player Bunny Chantrill. Image coutesy of Roy Hough

Above Left: Bunny Chantrill shakes hands with the King before the match v Scotland at Twickenham on 15th March 1924 when England won the Grand Slam. Above Right: The England team v Scotland get ready for a team photo. Bunny Chantrill is standing on the extreme left.

Standig (L-R) W.G.E.Luddington (Devonport Services), B.S.Chantrill (Bristol), G.S.Conway (Rugby), R.Edwards (Newport) H.P.Jacob (Oxford University), H.C.Catcheside (Percy Park), H.M.Locke (Birkenhead Park), L.J.Corbett (Bristol). Sitting: R.Cove-Smith (O.M.T's), E.Myers (Bradford) , W.W.Wakefield (captain) (Leicester), A.T.Voyce (Gloucester), A.F.Blakiston (Liverpool). On Ground: A.Robson (Northern), A.T.Young (Cambridge University).

Above the England team that played Scotland on 15th March 1924 and won the Grand Slam.

Above programme from the 1924 England v Scotland match played on 15th March 1924. Image courtesy Roy Hough

Above programme cover from the 1924 England v Scotland match played on 15th March 1924

Above a cigarette card originally issued in 1924 by F&J.Smith shows ex Clifton player Bunny Chantrill in his England kit.

He married Kathleen Murphy on 6th March 1926 at Bristol Register Office.

Standing (L-R): H.A.Burlinson (Hon Sec), J.N.Jones, G.M.Castle, P.T.Cooper, M.J.Carritt, W.S.Gammel, W.Lusty, A.G.Williams, R.J.Iliffe, B.S.Chantrill, C.Dixon. Sitting: P.Warwick, F.S.Kendall, O.R.Fulljames (Captain), C.C.Hover Millar (President), C.C.Moore, L.H.Ellis, I.M.B.Stuart. On Ground: R.C.Arbuthnot, P.J.A.Innes

Above Rosslyn Park 1926-27 with Bunny Chantrill

Standing (L-R): B.S.Chantrill, P.J.A.Innes, W.S.Bell, J.S.Lewis, J.N.Jones, L.H.Ellis, H.A.Burlinson (Hon Sec). Sitting: E.B.Eason, I.C.Bendall, F.S.Kendall, C.C.Moore (Captain), O.R.Fulljames, M.J.Carritt, R.J.Iliffe. On Ground: F.J.M.Dent, P.T.Cooper.

Above Rosslyn Park 1928-29 with Bunny Chantrill

Bunny Chantrill emigrated to South Africa in 1929 where he prospected for Gold. While there he played for Natal before returning to Bristol in 1931.

Shortly afterwards he finally emigrated to South Africa for good.

His wife Kathleen died in 1932.

He married Gertrude Alexandra Weir on the 25th June 1937. She died in the Transvaal, South Africa on 14th April 1959.

He fought in the South African Airforce in World War 2

His father, William died in 1959. His mother, Leah, died in 1961.

He died in South Africa in 1988. He was once quoted as saying "I love tackling more than anything else in rugby. What a glorius feeling it is."