Sport

Eric Douglas Rash (Kerrison 1913-1922)

Date of birth 1st June 1904
Date of Death January 1987
Story COLONELERICDOUGLASRASHK13-22

He was born 1 June 1904 and attended the College together with 6 other brothers. He was a Prefect and won the Mawby Memorial Prize in 1922. He was a budding sportsman and was in the Cricket XI in 1920, 1921 and 1922, when he was captain. He also won his Fives cap in 1922 and the Waugh Cup for Boxing in 1921.

Two of his brothers who had been fighting on the Western Front died during WW1. Firstly, Ralph Reginald Rash (K10-13) was killed during the last few weeks of the Battle of the Somme, and then nine months later, Arnold William Rash (K06-10) died on the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele. Both are remembered in the Distinguished section – click on their name.

He received his Norfolk County Hockey colours 1926-27 and went on to twice play cricket for Egypt in 1933-34.

During WW2 he served as an army officer in the Royal Tank Regiment and after the war was appointed Provost Marshal for the Middle East Land Forces 1954-57. He was a member of the Royal Tank Regiment Officers Club. I am indebted to Marcus Marvell at the College for passing on an extensive write up on Eric’s amazing life, written in 2025 by Philip Clarke, to mark 80^th anniversary of Eric’s release from Colditz Castle and to Eric’s grandson William for the photos.