Charles Dunning (rugby)

Charles Dunning (17 January 1878 – 6 December 1955) was a New Zealand rugby footballer who was part of the professional 1907–1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain.

Early years

Dunning was born on 17 January 1878 in Mahurangi, north of Auckland. His mother was Margaret Mackay Dunning and his father was Rufus Dunning. His sister Frankie Regina Dunning was born in 1880, a brother Arthur Rufus was born and died in 1881. A sister, Una Nicholas Irene also died within a year of birth in 1882, while another sister was born in 1883 but died in 1886 at the age of 3. Another sister Eleanor was born in 1883, and sister Eva was born in 1884. Uriel was born in 1884 but died two years later in 1886. Dunning was a builder by trade.^[1]

Rugby football

Dunning originally played

Billy Wynyard were the last two players to join the squad, after they had been representing Auckland against Hawke's Bay Rugby Union. He played in one test match while on tour, against Great Britain

. On his return to New Zealand Dunning, along with Billy Tyler, helped found the Ponsonby United Rugby League club.^[1] In 1909, Dunning played for Auckland but did not tour with the 1909 New Zealand side.

However, in 1910, he captained the side against the touring Great Britain and also captained the Auckland tour of New Zealand at the end of the year.^[2] He was part of New Zealand tours of Australia in 1911 and 1912.

Later years

Dunning suffered a leg injury, losing the patella in his right knee in World War I and walked with a stick until his death in 1955.^[3]

References

1. ^
   ISBN 0-473-03864-1
2. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4
   .
3. ^ John Coffey and Bernie Wood, The Kiwis: 100 Years of International Rugby League, Hodder Moa, Auckland, 2007, p. 39.