Patrick Coote

Patrick Bernard Coote (7 January 1910 – 19 April 1941) was a British bobsledder, Irish international rugby union player and Royal Air Force pilot. He played rugby for Leicester Tigers between 1931–33.

Profile Coote was born on 7 January 1910 in Eton, Buckinghamshire and attended Woking County School. He married Muriel Elsmie on the 1 June 1935.

Bobsleigh He represented Britain and the RAF and won the bronze medal in the four-man event at the 1931 FIBT World Championships in St. Moritz, along with Pilot Officer Dennis Field (steersman), Pilot Officer Ralph Wallace and Pilot Officer Jack Newcombe (brakeman).

Rugby In January 1928 Coote played his first game for the RAF against Cambridge University, he also represented the RAF in 1931 and 1932. Coote made his Leicester Tigers debut on 10 October 1931 at Kingsholm against Gloucester in a 12-6 defeat. He was described as a superb centre, scoring three tries in as many games in December 1931 against Blackheath, Birkenhead Park and the Barbarians. Coote competed for the "Sword of Honour" award at the end of his two-year course, and beat Douglas Bader, his nearest rival. Coote went on to become the Wing Commander of Western Wing, British Air Forces Greece.

Death Coote died while flying as an observer in a No. 211 Squadron Bristol Blenheim; there are conflicting reports of the date as some sources say 13 April 1941 He is buried at the Phalron War Cemetery in Greece along with the rest of the crew.