We will be highlighting players from early as 1891 over the next couple of weeks as we build up to the Blue, Black and White taking on the famous tourists at The Rec on Sunday 20 November, kick-off 14:00.

JOIN US AT THE REC FOR A HISTORIC FIXTURE

Ronald Anderson Gerrard (Major) DSO: 3 barbarians caps, 1932-34

In 1912, Ronald Gerrard was born in Hong Kong where his father served as Assistant Commissioner of Police. Upon his father’s death he came to the UK at age 15 to be educated at Taunton School.

At school, he established himself as a fantastic sportsman, partaking in the shot put where he was crowned Public Schools’ Weight (Shot) Putting champion. He also excelled in cricket, tennis, water polo, football and rifle shooting.

It was at school he was introduced to rugby when he was apprenticed to a Bath firm of civil engineers, his Bath Rugby debut followed against Plymouth Albion on 11 October 1930. Gerrard was aged 17 and featured at centre for Somerset against Gloucester in the same year, earning county honours for a further nine years – six of which were as captain.

His all-round skills saw him earned England honours – 14 caps to be precise – and debuted against the Springboks before taking on Scotland, Ireland, Wales and New Zealand. He captained the Combined Somerset and Gloucester Counties XV versus New Zealand in 1936 and played outside Prince Obolensky in the historic game for England versus New Zealand in the same year.

A powerful centre with a keen eye for an opening and outstanding defensive work, no opponent ever wriggled out of Gerrard’s tackles or forgot one of his handoffs! He was an important player in the Bath backline and captained the Blue, Black and White from 1934 to 1936 and again from 1937 to 1938.

Further tying his relationship to the club, Gerrard married Miss Mollie Taylor, a local architect in 1937, who was destined to become not only the first lady President of the Bath Club but the first such of any ‘first class’ club.

For the Barbarians, Gerrard played his first game in a 22-10 win over Leicester Tigers in December 1932 before a narrow 11-8 loss to the East Midlands two years later. His third outing in black and white came at the Middlesex Sevens.

A Captain in the Territorials, Gerrard was ‘called up’ with the onset of the Second World War and served with the rank of Major. As an engineer, he was decorated with the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for clearance of mines whilst under fire. His action in hazardous conditions contributed to the Allied advance in the North African campaign.

His citation read: “Major Gerrard showed the greatest courage and determination in his leadership which was an inspiration to all who saw it. The successful piercing of the enemy fields in this sector was largely due to his personal efforts and example.”

Tragically, this popular all-round sportsman, something of a schoolboy hero, was killed in action just three months later. He is buried in the Tripoli War Cemetery.

tickets remain on sale for Bath Rugby v Barbarians!

The Blue, Black and White will host the BaaBaas for the first time in the professional era on Sunday 20 November, kick-off 14:00.

All season tickets, including the 10-Game Season Ticket, and seasonal hospitality are valid for the game.

Tickets are priced from £30 for adult and £5 for a junior and are on general sale now!

BE AT THE REC FOR A PIECE OF HISTORY

Bath Rugby & Barbarians Player Spotlight: Major Ronald Anderson Gerrard, 1932-1934

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