Sir Arthur Frederick ‘AF’ Blakiston
(1892 - 1974)

Arthur Blakiston joined Trent College in March 1903. Before leaving school in 1908, he had served as a School Monitor and Librarian, and had proved to be an excellent sportsman.

AF Blakiston then went to Emmanuel College, Cambridge. His career was interrupted by the Great War, during which he served as a trooper in the King Edward’s Horse and later, as a Captain in the RAF.

As well as playing for Liverpool, the East Midlands and the Barbarians during his rugby days, Blakiston joined Blackheath Rugby Football Club (the world’s oldest open rugby club), where he proved his prowess on the field and was selected as a Forward for the England team.

AF Blakiston received 17 caps for England, two of which are on long term loan to the School - one cap was awarded to Blakiston for the first British Lions Tour to South Africa in 1924; the other cap was for his playing record with England between 1920 and 1925, during which time he played 17 games, won 13 and drew one.

From 1925 to 1926, Blakiston was Captain of the Northampton rugby team. He also played for Lancashire County.

Sir AF Blakiston became a Seventh Baronet in 1941. He died in Bedford in 1974 at the age of 81.

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