Descendants of rugby greats Blair Swannell and Tom Richards gathered at the Memorial to reflect on their sporting triumphs and wartime sacrifice.
More than a century after two rugby greats served at Gallipoli, their descendants have met for the first time at the Australian War Memorial.
Major Blair Inskip Swannell and Lieutenant Thomas James Richards hold a unique place in sporting history: they are the only two men ever to represent both the Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions in rugby union.
But their connection runs far deeper than sport. Both fought on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915, and their lives, and legacies, became forever entwined in the First World War.
Blair Swannell (centre) with fellow Anzac soldiers (Captain Albert Mcguire and Lieutenant Alfred Shout) in Egypt, March 1915.
On 25 April 1915, Blair Swannell was killed while advancing on Baby 700, one of Gallipoli’s most fiercely contested positions. Tom Richards went on to serve the full length of the war, earning the Military Cross for his actions at Bullecourt in 1917.
Recently, 110 years after the Gallipoli landings, their families came together for the first time at the Memorial.
“It was only fitting for the Memorial to host this meeting,” said Memorial Director Matt Anderson.
“Blair Swannell and Tom Richards are connected not only through their exploits in international rugby, but by their service during the First World War.
"The Memorial is about telling stories, so it’s a privilege to bring these two families together here.”
Robert Swannell, Jane Menck and Jim Menck viewing First World War photographs of Major Blair Inskip Swannell. Photographer: Kris Kerehona, AWM25.PR.097
Robert Swannell, who travelled from England to represent his great-uncle Blair, described the reunion as deeply meaningful.
“I was determined to come to Australia for this Lions Tour, and I have always wanted to meet the Richards family and see the Australian War Memorial where Blair’s death is honoured,” he said.
“Perhaps the most poignant and unexpected moment was to read the words of Tom Richards, written in his diary only a week after Blair’s death.”
In 1915, Richards had noted in his diary: “Poor B. I. Swannell is dead several days ago … I am really grieved as ‘Swanny’ with all his faults etc. was quite all right, though he is a character seldom met.”
Tom Richards. Courtesy of Sir John Monash Centre
A collection of Tom Richards' honours: (L-R): 1908 Olympic gold medal, Military Cross, 1910 Lions cap, Wallabies cap (1908-1912) and his portrait. Courtesy of Rugby Australia.
For Richards’ great-grandson, Paul Menck, the diary entries are a window into the past.
“The fact we know so much about Tom is because he was a prolific writer,” Paul said. “He wrote about his thoughts and emotions, which makes his diaries quite extraordinary. We are really glad the Australian War Memorial holds this important part of his story.”
Paul attended the reunion with his father, Jim, who reflected on the occasion with pride. “My mum was really excited for this tour,” Jim said. “I’m sure Joan would have loved to be here to meet Robert and see her dad’s diaries. She passed away just a few months ago at the age of 99, so to be able to represent her today is really special for the family.”
The families had the chance to view items from the Memorial’s collection, including First World War photographs and Tom Richard’s personal diaries.
Tom Richard’s personal diaries
As the families shared memories, they also viewed photographs and personal items from the Memorial’s collection, including Tom Richards’ wartime diaries.
The meeting coincided with the British and Irish Lions Tour, where both men’s legacies are remembered on the field. The Player of the Match medal at the Australia–New Zealand invitational game on 12 July was awarded in Blair Swannell’s honour, while the Player of the Series medal will bear Tom Richards’ name.
For two men once united by rugby and later by war, their stories continue to inspire — carried forward by family, history, and the enduring spirit of mateship.
