In the 2nd in our series of Isle of Wight Sporting Legends, Island Echo examines the life of rugby star Sam Perry.
Professor Sam Perry was a truly remarkable man: an eminent scientist, England rugby international and 3 times escapee from incarceration by the Germans during World War II.
Samuel Victor Perry was born on the Isle of Wight on 16th July 1918. His father died of a heart condition when he was 13, and his mother struggled to support him while he completed his education.
Nevertheless, Sam Perry was admitted to the University of Liverpool where he completed a degree in biochemistry, graduating in 1939. It was here that he began his rugby career, playing for Southport RFC.
At the outbreak of World War II, Perry joined the British Army and was given the choice of working on chemical warfare or joining the Royal Artillery. He chose the latter and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1941.
His experience of frontline action was shortlived as he was captured by Rommel’s forces in the North Africa campaign in 1942, spending 3-and-a-half years in prisoner-of-war camps, which he succeeded in escaping on 3 occasions.
Perry’s first escape attempt saw him breaking through a German cordon before crawling through a wheat field, but he was swiftly recaptured. He then jumped off a moving train but had the bad luck to have been recognised by the German guard who had recaptured him 5 days earlier.
While being transferred between prison camps in Germany, he made his 3rd and final escape bid when he and a fellow prisoner cut their way out of a cattle truck and leapt from a moving train. Again, he was recaptured, court martialled for damaging the train and placed in solitary confinement for a month.
On his return to the UK, Perry returned to academia to study for a Phd at Cambridge University, where he joined the university rugby team, playing in 2 Varsity matches (Oxford v Cambridge) in 1947 and 1948. His performances were such that he came to the attention of the England RFU selectors.
Perry was first capped for England against Wales in the 1947 Five Nations Championship – England’s 1st match since 1939. Despite being part of a completely uncapped pack, the forwards played brilliantly, with the unfancied England side winning the game 6-9 at Cardiff Arms Park.
He was then picked for the Five Nations Championship match against Ireland, in which England went down to 22-0 defeat.
Perry was next selected for England against the touring Australian side in 1948, a game England lost 0-11. 4 weeks later, he was selected for the Barbarians against the Wallabies, with the Barbarians winning 9-6 at Cardiff Arms Park.
In 1948, Perry returned to the England side for the 1948 Five Nations Championship, playing in all 4 internationals. It was not a successful campaign for the England side, drawing 3-3 against Wales before losing 10-11 against Ireland, 6-3 against Scotland and 15-0 against France.
Altogether Perry was capped 7 times for England as lock and appeared 3 times for the Barbarians as No 8.
In 1948, Samuel Perry married the actress and artist Maureen Shaw. The couple had 3 children: Gill, Jacqui and Michael. The following year Perry gave up competitive rugby. However, he was asked to manage the Cambridge University rugby team in their tour of Japan in 1953.
After lecturing at Cambridge University, he was appointed Head of Biochemistry in Birmingham University in 1959 – a post he occupied with distinction until retirement, elevating his department to one of international stature. He also served on the research committees of the Science Research Council, the Medical Research Council, the Agricultural Research Council and the British Heart Foundation. He was associated with the British research charity the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign for 20 years.
Perry purchased a derelict watermill (Felin Werndew) in Pembrokeshire Wales, which he renovated. He settled permanently at the watermill upon retirement.
Samuel Perry passed away on 17th December 2009 at the grand age of 91.
There is one further England international rugby player who originates from the Isle of Wight: Dudley Kemp, who was born on 18th January 1910. Kemp represented England against Wales at Twickenham in 1935. He also made a record 51 representative appearances for Hampshire, winning the championship in 1936 as captain.
Kemp served as Rugby Football Union President in 1969 and 1970. He passed away in 2003 aged 92.
Do you know of further distinguished rugby players who hail from the Isle of Wight? Let us know in the comments…
After reading your story I’m amazed that they call us Cork head’s born on the iow made on the iow
Sounds like a Wightfibre advertising leaflet,
now I know why I don’t want Wightfibre.
Lol
At first I thought it was a portrait
of oven ready Boris.