Basil Maclear Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Born in Hampshire on 7th April 1881. At the School 1893 to 1899. Killed in action at Ypres , 24th May 1915, aged 34.

He played rugby for Blackheath, Monkstown, Cork County, Munster and the Barbarians v Cardiff, 1905; v Cardiff, 1907; v Devonport Albion, 1907; v Exeter, 1907 (converted a try by H H Vassall). His brother Ronald played rugby for Bedford and the East Midlands.

He was the youngest of five sons who all served overseas in the First World War, three being killed in action.  At the early age of 15 he played for Blackheath and the records of the time describe him as ‘a promising forward, tall, heavy, strong and fast, a resolute tackler and a reliable place-kick’. He was in the School 1st XV in 1895-6, 1896-7, 1897-8 (Captain), 1898 (Captain). In the Easter Term of 1899 he was still captain, but was prevented from playing by an operation.

 At Sandhurst he represented the College at cricket, rugby football, athletics and shooting and won the Sword of Honour in 1900. He served with his regiment in the Boer War from 1900 to 1902 and received the Queen’s Medal with 5 clasps. He saw further active service at Aden in 1903 during the operations in the interior. CAPT. BASIL MACLEAR (2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers) was killed on May 26, whilst serving with the Expeditionary Force. In 1897 and 1898 he was in the Bedford Grammar School XI, in the latter year (when the side did not lose a School match) taking most wickets--35--at a cost of 13.91 runs each. He was one of the most famous of Irish International Rugby footballers. ampionships in 1899 he was beSchool.

David Brown