Frank Smyth

Not to be confused with Frank Smythe or Frank Smith.

Bernard Francis Smyth (11 February 1891 – 15 July 1972) was a New Zealand rugby union player.

Frank Smyth

Birth name	Bernard Francis Smyth
Date of birth	(1891-02-11)11 February 1891
Place of birth	Boatmans, Buller, New Zealand
Date of death	15 July 1972(1972-07-15) (aged 81)
Place of death	Christchurch, New Zealand
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in)
Weight	78 kg (172 lb)
Notable relative(s)	Peter Dunne (grandson)
Occupation(s)	Bricklayer, publican
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1915 Canterbury 1 () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1922 New Zealand 0 (0)

Playing career

A hooker, Smyth played a single representative game for Canterbury in 1915, one match for the South Island in 1922 and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, also in 1922. He played three matches for the All Blacks but did not appear in any internationals.

Military service

Smyth served in the No. 3 Field Company, New Zealand Engineers, during World War I. He enlisted in December 1915 as a sapper, and had risen to the rank of sergeant by the time of his discharge in June 1919. He saw action at Ypres, Passchendaele and the Somme, and was mentioned in dispatches, by Sir Douglas Haig on 7 April 1918.

Death and legacy

Smyth died in Christchurch on 15 July 1972, and was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Bromley. His grandson is the politician, Peter Dunne.