Rupert Inglis

Rupert Edward Inglis (17 May 1863 – 18 September 1916) was an England international rugby player who later became a Church of England rector. During the First World War, Inglis was a chaplain to the British Army and was killed during the Battle of the Somme.

Early life and education Inglis was born in the Hanover Square area of London. He was the youngest son of Nova Scotian Sir John Eardley Wilmot Inglis (who died 8 months before Rupert was born) and Julia Selina Thesiger;

He was educated at Rugby School from 1877 before going up to University College, Oxford in 1881 to read history. On leaving Oxford in 1885, he attended Ely Theological College and was ordained deacon in 1889. Alfred Markham Inglis (1856–1919), who played cricket for Kent Victoria Alexandrina Inglis (1859–1929), married Hubert Ashton, mother of cricketers Hubert, Gilbert, Percy and Claude Julia Mathilda Inglis (1861–1929), married to Sir George Herman Collier of the India Office

On 11 June 1900, he married Helen Mary Gilchrist. They had three children: Joan Clara Thesiger Inglis (1901–1967) John Gilchrist Thesiger Inglis (1906–1972) who was knighted and rose to the rank of Vice-Admiral. Margaret Cochran Inglis (1911–1994)

Sporting career At Rugby School, Inglis was a member of the school cricket and rugby teams. He played cricket for M.C.C. against the school in June 1879, aged 16. He also played against Marlborough College in July 1881 when he was the top-scorer in the first innings, helping Rugby win the match by two wickets.

He was a member of the school rugby XV in 1879 and 1880 and also of the rugby XVs at Oxford University in 1883 and 1884, winning his Blue. His debut came against Wales at Rectory Field, Blackheath on 2 January 1886 in a match which England won on tries scored. This was followed by a victory over Ireland in February and a draw with Scotland in March. As a result, England shared the 1886 Home Nations Championship with Scotland.

Clerical career Inglis was ordained deacon in 1889 by the Bishop of Beverley. He became curate at Helmsley from 1889 to 1890 and then at Basingstoke from 1892 to 1899 (being ordained priest by the Bishop of Winchester in 1894), before being appointed Rector of Frittenden, Kent in 1900.

First World War In 1915, Inglis decided that, if he was to encourage the young men of his village to sign up for the army, he would also have to volunteer. he was attached to 1st Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, arriving in France later in July 1915. For a short while he did duty at No. 23 General Hospital, Étaples, and then joined No. 21 Casualty Clearing Station at Corbie, near Albert. and nursed him through a bout of flu. There is also a memorial to him at All Saints' Church, Basingstoke where he had served as a curate.

At Frittenden, he is commemorated on the War Memorial while the lychgate at St. Mary's church is dedicated to him; On Remembrance Sunday 2009, Inglis' nephew, Hubert Ashton, preached at St. Mary's church, Frittenden. Parishioners also visited Ginchy where a memorial service was held in honour of the First World War dead. A memorial to the students of the Ely Theological College is now at King's Ely.