Back
The Pirates first ever Captain!
Peter Whyte18 Sep 2025 - 15:08
Peter Gartrell was our captain for the historic first game on the 22nd September 1945 By Phil Westren
As has been mentioned, this weekend marks 80 years since the Pirates of Penzance & Newlyn RFC played their first ever game. Also, the first match played on the Mennaye Field, it was against Guy’s Hospital.
Peter Gartrell was our captain for the historic occasion on the 22nd September 1945. Born in Morrab Road in 1918, he was a former pupil of St. Erbyn’s School, Penzance, who followed in his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps by taking up dentistry.
Peter’s training took place at Guy’s Hospital before the war where he was the only ‘Brit’ in their then, very strong rugby XV. Most of the players were South Africans and, not being able to speak Afrikaans, Peter claimed that he hardly ever got a pass! (A modest comment as any side would have been foolish not to have used his obvious talent.)
He remembered being on a Cornish tour with Guy’s and playing at St. Ives when an elderly woman whacked him with her umbrella after he had scored a try in the corner – not the friendliest of welcomes on one’s return to the Duchy!
The incident, however, did not affect the post-match activities, other than the players perhaps becoming a little overexuberant, which led to the Police being summoned to the team’s hotel the morning after.
Players were interviewed, the first being asked “What is your name?”. The reply given was “Otto Halamandres”, and the next “Oscar van Statler”, and so on.
The policeman did not know they were South African and warned them to stop larking about. Everyone was apologetic but, whilst the questioning was going on, someone had taken the opportunity to fill the officer’s helmet up with liquid – further elaboration is neither necessary nor recommended!
Peter played for Penzance RFC whenever he could, and he also made his first appearance for Cornwall in 1938. Then, during the 1939-45 war, he served in the Royal Navy as a Surgeon-Lieutenant, returning afterwards to his practice in Morrab Road.
Just prior to Peter’s return, Rex Carr wrote to him in the Navy asking if he could persuade Guy’s to come and play the Pirates in our opening match. Peter’s charming and smooth-talking approach not surprisingly worked and, as I have previously mentioned, he captained the club in our first-ever game.
Peter then had the honour of once again playing for Cornwall, only to break a leg in a match against Devon at Plymouth. To complicate matters he caught tetanus, nearly died, and his rugby career was sadly ended.
To conclude, Peter Gartrell was one of life’s gentleman characters, as all who knew him would confirm. Throughout exuding a very real ‘joie de vivre’, he died in 1998 at the age of 80, at his home near St. Buryan.
Now, Peter and other Penzance & Newlyn RFC associated players and officials from back in 1945, will be remembered this coming Saturday when the Pirates are at home to Wadebridge in Tribute Regional 2 South West (ko 3pm). It promises to be a hard fought and entertaining game, on a day when a Past Players Reunion is also being held in the clubhouse at lunchtime. Please get there if you can, and let the nostalgia flow.
Peter Gartrell was our captain for the historic occasion on the 22nd September 1945. Born in Morrab Road in 1918, he was a former pupil of St. Erbyn’s School, Penzance, who followed in his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps by taking up dentistry.
Peter’s training took place at Guy’s Hospital before the war where he was the only ‘Brit’ in their then, very strong rugby XV. Most of the players were South Africans and, not being able to speak Afrikaans, Peter claimed that he hardly ever got a pass! (A modest comment as any side would have been foolish not to have used his obvious talent.)
He remembered being on a Cornish tour with Guy’s and playing at St. Ives when an elderly woman whacked him with her umbrella after he had scored a try in the corner – not the friendliest of welcomes on one’s return to the Duchy!
The incident, however, did not affect the post-match activities, other than the players perhaps becoming a little overexuberant, which led to the Police being summoned to the team’s hotel the morning after.
Players were interviewed, the first being asked “What is your name?”. The reply given was “Otto Halamandres”, and the next “Oscar van Statler”, and so on.
The policeman did not know they were South African and warned them to stop larking about. Everyone was apologetic but, whilst the questioning was going on, someone had taken the opportunity to fill the officer’s helmet up with liquid – further elaboration is neither necessary nor recommended!
Peter played for Penzance RFC whenever he could, and he also made his first appearance for Cornwall in 1938. Then, during the 1939-45 war, he served in the Royal Navy as a Surgeon-Lieutenant, returning afterwards to his practice in Morrab Road.
Just prior to Peter’s return, Rex Carr wrote to him in the Navy asking if he could persuade Guy’s to come and play the Pirates in our opening match. Peter’s charming and smooth-talking approach not surprisingly worked and, as I have previously mentioned, he captained the club in our first-ever game.
Peter then had the honour of once again playing for Cornwall, only to break a leg in a match against Devon at Plymouth. To complicate matters he caught tetanus, nearly died, and his rugby career was sadly ended.
To conclude, Peter Gartrell was one of life’s gentleman characters, as all who knew him would confirm. Throughout exuding a very real ‘joie de vivre’, he died in 1998 at the age of 80, at his home near St. Buryan.
Now, Peter and other Penzance & Newlyn RFC associated players and officials from back in 1945, will be remembered this coming Saturday when the Pirates are at home to Wadebridge in Tribute Regional 2 South West (ko 3pm). It promises to be a hard fought and entertaining game, on a day when a Past Players Reunion is also being held in the clubhouse at lunchtime. Please get there if you can, and let the nostalgia flow.
Further reading