Latest news with #FirstXV
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
First XV rugby: Palmerston North dominate Super 8 with win over St John's
Bruce Holloway and Adam Julian First XV wrap: Palmerston North show their class; Rathkeale roar to life in Wellington; Christ's College upset Nelson; Kieran Col reflects on attitude, culture and Crusaders' young guns; Otago Boys' High benefactor Des Smith set to be honoured; all the action nationwide... Palmerston North Boys' have shown why they are leading the Super 8 First XV championship with a seamless 34-0 mid-term breakaway victory over defending Central North Island rugby champions St John's College (Hamilton).
IOL News
6 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Remembering a Durban hero: The story of lieutenant McGarr
Lieutenant Clement A. N. McGarr was a true South African hero from Durban who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II. Image: Supplied / Taz During the Second World War, countless South Africans answered the call to rescue a world in peril, leaving behind their families, homes, and futures. Thousands of miles from home, they confronted the forces of tyranny - on land, at sea, and in the air. They did so not for recognition or reward, but to defend the ideals of freedom, democracy, and justice. In total, over 334,000 South Africans served across the globe, and more than 11,000 were killed. Among the young men who went off to war but never returned was Lieutenant Clement Aldwyn Neville McGarr. McGarr was born on 24 November 1917 in Johannesburg and moved with his family to Durban in 1923. He loved the city deeply and began his schooling there. At the age of twelve, he was struck by polio and became paralysed from the waist down. But McGarr refused to give up. Through determination and relentless effort, he recovered the use of his legs and attended Glenwood High School, where he excelled academically and athletically. He was a proud member of the school's First XV rugby team, and one of his greatest passions was riding motorcycles. After completing his studies, McGarr worked in the laboratories of Lever Brothers, and later joined the Treasury Department of Durban Corporation. In May 1940, as the war intensified, McGarr enlisted in the South African Air Force (SAAF). Motivated by a sense of duty and love for his country, he trained diligently to become a pilot. On 26 April 1941, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and awarded his pilot's brevet. Soon after, he was posted to Egypt and, in October 1941, joined No. 2 Squadron SAAF, flying Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk fighters over the Libya–Egypt frontier. On 6 October 1941, while on patrol over the Egyptian desert, McGarr's squadron was intercepted by German fighters. During the fierce aerial combat, his aircraft was hit, and he was forced to bail out. He landed in the desert with only one shoe - the other lost mid-air - and wandered for three days without food or water before being captured by the German Afrika Korps. After a brief internment in Libya, he was sent to Germany and imprisoned at Stalag Luft III. There, McGarr immediately volunteered to join one of the most daring prisoner-of-war operations of the war: The Great Escape. The plan aimed to enable up to 200 Allied prisoners tunnel out of the camp, not only to free them but also to disrupt German operations by forcing them to divert resources. McGarr's role was to oversee security teams - watching for guards and preventing the tunnels from being discovered. A picture of McGarr's grave at the Poznań Old Garrison Cemetery in Poland. Image: Paul On the night of 24–25 March 1944, McGarr was among the 76 men who escaped. This extraordinary feat was later immortalised in Paul Brickhill's 1950 book The Great Escape and made famous globally by the 1963 film adaptation, starring Steve McQueen. While dramatised, the film brought long-overdue recognition to the real heroes behind the escape, including McGarr. Following the escape, German forces launched a massive manhunt. McGarr braved freezing temperatures and remained on the run for a short time, but he was eventually recaptured by German forces and taken to Görlitz prison. Enraged by the escape, Adolf Hitler ordered the Gestapo to execute 50 of the recaptured prisoners - an act in direct violation of the Geneva Convention. On 6 April 1944, a truck arrived at Görlitz. Six names were called. One of them was Lieutenant Clement McGarr. Alongside his fellow escapees, he was taken into Poland, ordered off the truck and executed. He was just 26 years old - with so much life ahead, and so much to give. Cremated by the Gestapo, McGarr's ashes were initially interred at Sagan. After the war, they were exhumed and re-interred at the Poznań Old Garrison Cemetery in Poland. A beautiful headstone marks his grave - a quiet and eternal reminder of his heroism and sacrifice. The story of Lieutenant Clement A. N. McGarr is one that goes beyond a single life; it echoes the stories of countless South Africans who fought and died for a better world. Each had a name, a voice, a life - that deserves to be remembered. It is our solemn duty to honour their memory, to uphold the values they fought for, and to ensure the world never forgets the brave young souls who gave everything they had for everything we have today.
IOL News
6 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Remembering a Durban hero: The story of lieutenant McGarr
Lieutenant Clement A. N. McGarr was a true South African hero from Durban who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II. Image: Supplied / Taz During the Second World War, countless South Africans answered the call to rescue a world in peril, leaving behind their families, homes, and futures. Thousands of miles from home, they confronted the forces of tyranny - on land, at sea, and in the air. They did so not for recognition or reward, but to defend the ideals of freedom, democracy, and justice. In total, over 334,000 South Africans served across the globe, and more than 11,000 were killed. Among the young men who went off to war but never returned was Lieutenant Clement Aldwyn Neville McGarr. McGarr was born on 24 November 1917 in Johannesburg and moved with his family to Durban in 1923. He loved the city deeply and began his schooling there. At the age of twelve, he was struck by polio and became paralysed from the waist down. But McGarr refused to give up. Through determination and relentless effort, he recovered the use of his legs and attended Glenwood High School, where he excelled academically and athletically. He was a proud member of the school's First XV rugby team, and one of his greatest passions was riding motorcycles. After completing his studies, McGarr worked in the laboratories of Lever Brothers, and later joined the Treasury Department of Durban Corporation. In May 1940, as the war intensified, McGarr enlisted in the South African Air Force (SAAF). Motivated by a sense of duty and love for his country, he trained diligently to become a pilot. On 26 April 1941, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and awarded his pilot's brevet. Soon after, he was posted to Egypt and, in October 1941, joined No. 2 Squadron SAAF, flying Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk fighters over the Libya–Egypt frontier. On 6 October 1941, while on patrol over the Egyptian desert, McGarr's squadron was intercepted by German fighters. During the fierce aerial combat, his aircraft was hit, and he was forced to bail out. He landed in the desert with only one shoe - the other lost mid-air - and wandered for three days without food or water before being captured by the German Afrika Korps. After a brief internment in Libya, he was sent to Germany and imprisoned at Stalag Luft III. There, McGarr immediately volunteered to join one of the most daring prisoner-of-war operations of the war: The Great Escape. The plan aimed to enable up to 200 Allied prisoners tunnel out of the camp, not only to free them but also to disrupt German operations by forcing them to divert resources. McGarr's role was to oversee security teams - watching for guards and preventing the tunnels from being discovered. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading A picture of McGarr's grave at the Poznań Old Garrison Cemetery in Poland. Image: Paul On the night of 24–25 March 1944, McGarr was among the 76 men who escaped. This extraordinary feat was later immortalised in Paul Brickhill's 1950 book The Great Escape and made famous globally by the 1963 film adaptation, starring Steve McQueen. While dramatised, the film brought long-overdue recognition to the real heroes behind the escape, including McGarr. Following the escape, German forces launched a massive manhunt. McGarr braved freezing temperatures and remained on the run for a short time, but he was eventually recaptured by German forces and taken to Görlitz prison. Enraged by the escape, Adolf Hitler ordered the Gestapo to execute 50 of the recaptured prisoners - an act in direct violation of the Geneva Convention. On 6 April 1944, a truck arrived at Görlitz. Six names were called. One of them was Lieutenant Clement McGarr. Alongside his fellow escapees, he was taken into Poland, ordered off the truck and executed. He was just 26 years old - with so much life ahead, and so much to give. Cremated by the Gestapo, McGarr's ashes were initially interred at Sagan. After the war, they were exhumed and re-interred at the Poznań Old Garrison Cemetery in Poland. A beautiful headstone marks his grave - a quiet and eternal reminder of his heroism and sacrifice. The story of Lieutenant Clement A. N. McGarr is one that goes beyond a single life; it echoes the stories of countless South Africans who fought and died for a better world. Each had a name, a voice, a life - that deserves to be remembered. It is our solemn duty to honour their memory, to uphold the values they fought for, and to ensure the world never forgets the brave young souls who gave everything they had for everything we have today.
Sydney Morning Herald
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
The day the Lions beat a team of tradies and teachers by 100 points
The British and Irish Lions are training at their base at Hale School in Perth, completing drills on a manicured ryegrass field in front of a large screen projecting lineout variations. The school's biology teacher and First XV coach Rob Barugh would be more impressed by the Lions' slick operation, but for the fact he has already experienced it for real – nearly 25 years ago, Barugh played halfback for the Western Australia team that lost to the tourists by a record score of 116-10. Barugh's teammates that day were all amateurs except for Wallabies prop Patricio Noriega and Waratahs playmaker Duncan McRae, who had been parachuted in late to strengthen the side. Breakaway Hamish Grace did a half day of work as a roof carpenter, before packing up his tools and driving to the WACA to take on the very best players from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England. Barugh and his teammates had been cautiously optimistic that they could be competitive against a Lions side that featured several future legends of the game including Brian O'Driscoll and Keith Wood. However, as they lined up beside the Lions before the game, Barugh – a former Australian sevens and Randwick player – began to realise the enormity of their task. 'Just seeing them come out alongside us as we came through the chute at the WACA, that's probably when I realised how big the mismatch was,' Barugh said. 'They had physical size and prowess, and I'm weighing myself up against various backs and wondering how I'm going to go evading them.
The Age
26-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
The day the Lions beat a team of tradies and teachers by 100 points
The British and Irish Lions are training at their base at Hale School in Perth, completing drills on a manicured ryegrass field in front of a large screen projecting lineout variations. The school's biology teacher and First XV coach Rob Barugh would be more impressed by the Lions' slick operation, but for the fact he has already experienced it for real – nearly 25 years ago, Barugh played halfback for the Western Australia team that lost to the tourists by a record score of 116-10. Barugh's teammates that day were all amateurs except for Wallabies prop Patricio Noriega and Waratahs playmaker Duncan McRae, who had been parachuted in late to strengthen the side. Breakaway Hamish Grace did a half day of work as a roof carpenter, before packing up his tools and driving to the WACA to take on the very best players from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England. Barugh and his teammates had been cautiously optimistic that they could be competitive against a Lions side that featured several future legends of the game including Brian O'Driscoll and Keith Wood. However, as they lined up beside the Lions before the game, Barugh – a former Australian sevens and Randwick player – began to realise the enormity of their task. 'Just seeing them come out alongside us as we came through the chute at the WACA, that's probably when I realised how big the mismatch was,' Barugh said. 'They had physical size and prowess, and I'm weighing myself up against various backs and wondering how I'm going to go evading them.
