Frank Tobin
Encyclopedia
Frank Tobin CBE was a rugby union
international who represented England
in the first international rugby match in 1871.
where he played football using rugby school rules. After leaving education he returned to Liverpool where he played for the rugby union side Liverpool F.C.
.
against Scotland
, which the hosts won.
In the match he was said to have played splendidly behind the scrummage.
in 1872 and lived there for 12 years, commanding the fire brigade there. He returned to become a stockbroker in Liverpool and became very well known in this profession. During the First World War, at the request of Sir James Barr, he organised the Avenue Auxiliary Hospital. His involvement in war work was both in this medical capacity as Corps Superintendent of the St John Ambulance Association in Liverpool (he later became the Chairman of the Liverpool Centre of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem) and also through his connections with the Civic Service League. He took over and adapted a large nursing home in Prince's avenue, and this was set apart for officers. It was Tobin who collected the necessary funds for the equipment of the hospital, and in his endeavours he was assisted by both the St.John Ambulance Association, and by the Liverpool branch of the British Red Cross
.
As a stockbroker, among other appointments he became the chairman of directors of the London Nitrate Company, at Liverpool. Tobin was later honoured by becoming a CBE. He married Li La Beach on 17 January 1878, the daughter of Sanford Smith and widow of Edward Holden Martindale of Rochester, New York.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
international who represented England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
in the first international rugby match in 1871.
Early life
Frank Tobin was born in Liverpool on September 23, 1849. He was educated at Rugby SchoolRugby School
Rugby School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England. It is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain.-History:...
where he played football using rugby school rules. After leaving education he returned to Liverpool where he played for the rugby union side Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool St Helens F.C.
Liverpool St Helens Football Club are a rugby union team formed from the merger of Liverpool Football Club and St. Helens RUFC. The club currently plays in North 1 West....
.
Rugby union career
Tobin, having played rugby at school, went on to play for Liverpool F.C. (latterly Liverpool St Helens). Tobin was selected to play in the first international match in 1871. He was one of only a handful of players selected from clubs outside of London. The match was played on 27 March 1871 at EdinburghRaeburn Place
Raeburn Place is the main street of Stockbridge, Edinburgh, and the name of the playing fields there.-Rugby:The first international rugby football game was played on the playing fields at Raeburn Place on 27 March 1871 between England and Scotland. It was won by Scotland, though England got revenge...
against Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
, which the hosts won.
In the match he was said to have played splendidly behind the scrummage.
Career and personal life
Tobin left England for LimaLima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
in 1872 and lived there for 12 years, commanding the fire brigade there. He returned to become a stockbroker in Liverpool and became very well known in this profession. During the First World War, at the request of Sir James Barr, he organised the Avenue Auxiliary Hospital. His involvement in war work was both in this medical capacity as Corps Superintendent of the St John Ambulance Association in Liverpool (he later became the Chairman of the Liverpool Centre of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem) and also through his connections with the Civic Service League. He took over and adapted a large nursing home in Prince's avenue, and this was set apart for officers. It was Tobin who collected the necessary funds for the equipment of the hospital, and in his endeavours he was assisted by both the St.John Ambulance Association, and by the Liverpool branch of the British Red Cross
British Red Cross
The British Red Cross Society is the United Kingdom branch of the worldwide impartial humanitarian organisation the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The society was formed in 1870, and is a registered charity with over 31,000 volunteers and 2,600 staff. At the heart of their work...
.
As a stockbroker, among other appointments he became the chairman of directors of the London Nitrate Company, at Liverpool. Tobin was later honoured by becoming a CBE. He married Li La Beach on 17 January 1878, the daughter of Sanford Smith and widow of Edward Holden Martindale of Rochester, New York.