Alexander Obolensky

Prince
Alexander Sergeevich Obolensky

Obolensky scored on his England debut in their win over New Zealand in January 1936
Born (1916-02-17)17 February 1916
Petrograd, Russia
Died 29 March 1940(1940-03-29) (aged 24)
RAF Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, UK
Cause of death Aircrash
Resting place Ipswich, Suffolk
Nationality Russian (later British)
Education Brasenose College, Oxford
Occupation RAF officer
Known for Rugby international
Title Prince
Religion Russian Orthodox
Parent(s) Prince Serge Obolensky
Princess Lubov' Naryshkina
Relatives Obolensky family
Obolensky arms

Prince Alexander Sergeevich Obolensky (Russian: Александр Серге́евич Оболенский; 17 February 1916 — 29 March 1940) was a Rurikid prince of Russian origin who became a naturalised Briton,[1] having spent most of his life in England, and who went on to represent England in international rugby union. He was, and remains, popularly known as "The Flying Prince", "The Flying Slav", or simply as "Obo" to many sports fans.

Biography

A member of the Rurik dynasty, he was born at Petrograd (now Saint Petersburg) on 17 February 1916, the son of Prince Sergei Alexandrovich Obolensky, an officer in the Tsar's Imperial Horse Guards and his wife Princess Lubov' (née Naryshkina). The family name derives from the ancient Russian city of Obolensk; they fled Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 and settled in Muswell Hill, London. He was appointed a Knight of St John in 1938.[2]

Obolensky was educated at The Ashe boys' preparatory school, Etwall and Trent College, Long Eaton, both in Derbyshire, before going up to Brasenose College, Oxford in Michaelmas 1934, where he held a College Exhibition and read Politics, Philosophy and Economics; he graduated with a Fourth Class degree (BA (Oxon)) in 1938. At Oxford he won two rugby blues representing Oxford University RFC as a wing/three-quarter. Having previously played for Chesterfield FC whilst still at school, he played for Leicester FC between 1934 and 1939, as well as Rosslyn Park FC; his selection for England caused a stir because he was not a British subject, although he was naturalised British in March 1936.[3]

On 4 January 1936 Obolensky scored two tries on his England debut in a 13-0 victory over the All Blacks, the first time England had beaten New Zealand. Aided by Pathé News footage of the game, his name has entered into legend, since the first try, beating several All Blacks in a run of three-quarters of the length of the field, was widely regarded as the greatest try of the time, and one of the greatest tries ever scored by England.[4]

Prince Obolensky won three England caps later that year (against Wales on 18 January, Ireland on 8 February and Scotland on 21 March), but scored no further tries. He was selected as a member of the touring party for the 1936 British Lions tour to Argentina. He also played seven games for the "invitation only" Barbarian F.C. between 1937 and 1939, scoring 3 tries.

On 12 August 1939, Obolensky was commissioned as an Acting Pilot Officer in 615 Squadron (Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF)),[5] being stationed at RAF Kenley and at the outbreak of World War II in 1939, he joined RAF 504 Squadron.[6] On 29 March 1940, a day after being recalled to the England squad to play Wales,[7] Pilot Officer Obolensky was killed during training when his Hawker Hurricane Mark 1 overshot the runway at Martlesham Heath Airfield, Suffolk.[8] His aircraft, reference number L1946, dropped into a ravine at the end of the runway during landing, breaking his neck. Aged 24,[9] Prince Obolensky was buried at Ipswich New Cemetery.

Order of St. John insignia

Legacy

See also

Statue of Prince Obolensky on Cromwell Square, Ipswich

References

  1. ↑ www.almanachdegotha.org
  2. ↑ www.orthodoxorderofsaintjohn.org
  3. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 34272. p. 2276. 7 April 1936.
  4. ↑ Green Umbrella Productions: 101 Greatest English Tries. DVD, Release Date: 8 Nov 2004.
  5. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 34679. p. 6196. 12 September 1939.
  6. ↑ www.thegazette.co.uk
  7. 1 2 3 Statue for rugby's Russian prince BBC News, 8 January 2009
  8. ↑ www.mhas.org.uk
  9. ↑ To, Wireless (30 March 1940). "Prince Obolensky, 24, Killed in Air Crash. British Flier Was Also an Outstanding Rugby Back.". New York Times. Prince Alexander Obolensky, known as "the flying Prince," was killed today in a flying accident at an East Anglian airport.
  10. ↑ Rugby hero pilot statue unveiled BBC News, 18 February 2009
  11. ↑ Obolensky Memorial Project

External links

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