By Stockers
November 11 2003

A Northampton forward who toured twice with The British Lions, Blair was an uncompromising player who some described as “dirty” or “unsavoury.” Swannell’s rugby career was unusual in that he emigrated to New South Wales and went on to win a cap playing for Australia against New Zealand in 1905. Blair Inskip Swannell was born in Weston Underwood, near Olney in 1876. His parents moved to Northampton and were resident, at the time of his death, at 1 Castillian Terrace.

He toured Australia with the British Lions in 1899 and again in 1904 when he scored a try against the Aussies. The latter tour continued to New Zealand where he played against the All Blacks and Auckland. In all he played 10 times for The Lions, including 7 Test matches.

As well as a reputation as an uncompromising player, Swannell also seems to have been famous as someone for whom washing was simply not important! Indeed, a report from New Zealand describes him as a person “who, apart from being a notoriously dirty player, stood apart from everyone else because his personal hygiene left a lot to be desired.”

He was renowned “for his unsavoury play and unusual hygiene, always turning up to club matches in a filthy, once-white sweater, with badges and dates of all countries he represented on it. His prized possession was an also once-white pair of football breeches, which he refused to wash, and which he wore in every match.” Obviously something of a character!

Swannell was a Major in the 1st Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, which took a leading part in the joint landings at Gallipoli, Turkey. The history of this ill-fated operation is well known, with many British, Irish and Empire soldiers losing their lives in an appalling battle as they struggled to gain a foothold on the beaches under withering fire from the enemy on the cliff tops above.

Blair Swannell was killed in action at the age of 39, a long way from Jimmies End and from home. He lies in a grave near where he fell.

It was said of him, shortly before the Battle of Gallipoli began, “he realised he would play this game as he had played Rugby football…with his whole heart”

Blair Inskip Swannell

British Lions, Australia, Northampton Saints

Born 1876, Died 25 April 1915, Bloody Angle, Gallipoli.


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