Lieutenant colonel John Berchmans Minch (29 July 1890 — 8 November 1942) was a British Army officer and Ireland international rugby union player of the 1910s.

John Minch
Full nameJohn Berchmans Minch
Date of birth(1890-07-29)29 July 1890
Place of birthAthy, County Kildare, Ireland
Date of death8 November 1942(1942-11-08) (aged 52)
Place of deathBritish India
SchoolClongowes Wood College
UniversityUniversity College Dublin
Notable relative(s)Matthew Minch (father)
Sydney Minch (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1912–14 Ireland 5 (0)

Biography

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Born in Athy, County Kildare, Minch was the son of nationalist politician Matthew Minch and the younger brother of Sydney Minch, a member of the Teachta Dála. His family were well known brewers involved with the company Minch Malt. He attended Clongowes Wood College and University College Dublin, where he studied obstetrics.[1]

Minch was the first player of Athy origins to be capped for Ireland, gaining the first of his five caps as a centre against the touring 1912–13 Springboks, while a Bective Rangers player.[2][1]

Mobilised in 1914, Minch was commissioned to the Royal Army Medical Corps Special Reserve, participating in operations against the Mohmands in World War I. His wartime service was awarded with the 1914–15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He served again during World War II and died while on active service in India in 1942, aged 52.[3][4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b McCrery, Nigel; Rowe, Michael (28 February 2018). Final Scrum. Pen & Sword Books. ISBN 1473894522.
  2. ^ "A proud tradition in good hands at Athy". Irish Independent. 20 March 2009.
  3. ^ "Deaths". Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps. 78–79: 22. 1942.
  4. ^ "Late Col. J. B. Minch". Irish Independent. 18 November 1942.
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