Ernest Roberts (rugby union)

Ernest Roberts

Birth name	Ernest William Roberts
Date of birth	14 November 1878
Place of birth	Lowestoft, Suffolk, England
Date of death	19 November 1933(1933-11-19) (aged 55)
Place of death	Manchester, England
Rugby union career
Position(s) Forward International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1901-1907 England 6 (Pts:0; Tries:0; Conv:0; Pens:0; Drop:0)

Rear Admiral Ernest William Roberts, OBE (1878–1933) was a rugby union international who represented England from 1901 to 1907. He also captained his country. As a Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy, he served in Grand Fleet destroyers during World War I. He was appointed an OBE (Military Division) in 1923.

Biography

Ernest Roberts was born on 14 November 1878 in Lowestoft. He died on 19 November 1933 following an adjourned committee meeting to choose teams for an England trial match. Roberts was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium on 22 November 1933. There is a memorial stone in the churchyard of the parish church of St Mary the Virgin at Dedham, Essex commemorating Roberts, his wife and two children.

The grave of Ernest Roberts in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin, Dedham, Essex

Rugby union career

Roberts made his international debut on 5 January 1901 at Cardiff Arms Park in the Wales vs England match. Of the 6 matches he played for his national side he was on the winning side on 0 occasions. He played his final match for England on 16 March 1907 at Rectory Field, Blackheath in the England vs Scotland match.