Tom Morrison (rugby union)
Rugby player
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Thomas Clarence Morrison CBE (28 July 1913 – 31 August 1985) was a New Zealand rugby union player and administrator. A wing three-quarter, Morrison represented South Canterbury and Wellington at a provincial level. He was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, on their 1938 tour of Australia, playing in five matches including three internationals.
28 July 1913
| Born | Thomas Clarence Morrison 28 July 1913 Gisborne, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Died | 31 August 1985 (aged 72) Wellington, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 79 kg (174 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Menswear retailer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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During World War II Morrison served with the 27th (Machine Gun) Battalion, enlisting as a corporal in 1939.[1] In February 1942 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant.[2]
After returning from his war service, Morrison played for Wellington between 1944 and 1946 and the North Island in 1944-45. He was selected as one of the 5 players of the year for the 1945 season in the Rugby Almananac of New Zealand.[3]
He later served on the executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union from 1946 to 1968, and was its chairman between 1962 and 1968. He was also a national selector between 1950 and 1956.[4]
In the 1968 New Year Honours, Morrison was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to sport, especially rugby football.[5] He died on 31 August 1985 and his ashes were buried in Makara Cemetery, Wellington.[6][7]
