I arrived in Kenya in the middle of May 1955 with my regiment, The King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Our headquarters were based at the old Muthaiga Polo Ground on the Thika Road outside Nairobi.

Initially our military duties did not permit much free time. However, once things had settled down and, in an effort to integrate, we were encouraged to join in as much local activity as possible. I recall that four of us were fairly enthusiastic rugger players. We discovered that there were a couple of clubs who were often short of players and were glad to have us as members. The two clubs were Harlequins and Nondescripts.

Harlequins club house and ground were situated on the Ngong Road. I think ‘Nondies’ also had their ground on the same road.

The four of us – David Gwynne-James, Alan Parker, Andrew Borwick and I decided to join Harlequins mainly because we knew they were affiliated to the London club and David had played in their ‘A’ team whilst an Officer Cadet at Sandhurst. In fact, when David and Alan returned to England in 1958 they both played for Harlequins. Alan propped for the First XV, while David was a fly half mostly for the Second or Wanderers teams.

At the time we joined Kenya Harlequins the Club President was O.G. Wheeler and the first team captain was D.F. Rees. The Wanderers and ‘A’ team captain was J.M. Williamson. The season ran from early March to late August, this being the cooler time of the year but not necessarily the wettest. This usually meant that the ground of hard red murram was akin to playing on concrete! Scrapes and bruises were commonplace and few players left the field at the end of the game without, at least, some form of minor scratches.

Our opponents were scattered over much of Kenya, which gave us the chance to travel to parts we might not otherwise have seen. Nakuru, Mombassa, Eldoret, Kitale and Nyeri were all tours within the Colony (as Kenya was in those days). Other opposition were the RAF, the Police, the Railway and a United Services side. Outside Kenya, we would travel to Kampala in Uganda.

The ‘A’ team had a similar fixture list, but with the addition of two boys schools, the Duke of York and the Prince of Wales. Frequently, as the boys grew up, they would be encouraged to join the Club as members, although there was considerable rivalry with ‘Nondies’ over recruitment!

Unfortunately, I have no record of scores or achievements, but the highlight of the season was the battle for the Enterprise Cup for which honours were awarded. I have a note that in 1955 M.H. Mabbs and M.L. Green were honoured, in 1956 P.F.H. Williams and B.S. Bennie and in ’57 it was D.F. Rees and D.S. Lee.

Overall, I recall that Harlequins always did pretty well and were most certainly a much respected side.

Digressing slightly, one should mention a prominent referee of the time. Dick Luyt will always stand out in my memory as being very good. He was in the Colonial Service and eventually (I believe) went on to become Governor of Tanganyika and was knighted.

I left Kenya in 1958 after three very happy years.

My best wishes go to all past and present Kenya Harlequins, wherever they may be.

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