Leslie Cheape

Cheape playing polo in 1911 with his snake tattoo visible

Captain Leslie St. Clair Cheape (1882 - 23 April 1916,) was an English international polo player who was "England's greatest player". Cheape played for England in the Westchester Cup three times in 1911, 1913, and 1914.^[1] In 1914 the final had to be delayed when he was hit in the face by a polo ball and his nose was broken.^[2]

Biography

Leslie St. Clair Cheape was born around 1882 in Fife, Scotland, the son of Colonel G. C. Cheape. He was killed in battle during World War I on Easter Sunday, 23 April 1916, in Palestine while commanding a squadron of the Worcestershire Yeomanry.^[3][4]

References

1. "Capt. Cheape and Lord Wodehouse Invited to Join Challengers". New York Times. 10 May 1914. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
2. "British View of the Britons' Victory; The London Time's Special Correspondent Praises Our Captain, but Deplores Our Team Work". New York Times. 14 June 1914. Retrieved 4 November 2010. What's the matter with Capt. Cheape? Barring a couple of holes in his face -- besides his ears -- and a blue-green black eye, and a busted nose, with left nostril well stuffed with medicated lint. Capt. Leslie Cheape is what Sheridan would have called "a pretty gentleman." Moreover, and likewise, he is a mighty pretty polo player, even on nothing but strange mounts.
3. Polo in the United States. Arcadia Publishing. 2011. p. 67. Leslie St. Clair Cheape, killed on Easter Sunday in Palestine. Another player from that team, Capt. Herbert Wilson, and Lt. A. Noel Edwards, from the 1911 and 1913 international teams, also died. ...
4. "Capt. Cheape, Polo Player, is Missing. Noted Sportsman, Who Helped Take Cup Back to England, Slain or Captured.". New York Times. 2 May 1916. Retrieved 4 November 2010. Tonight's casualty list includes among the missing Lord Elcho, who is supposed to have been wounded, and Captain Leslie St. C. Cheape, well known internationally as a polo player.