William Neilson (Rugby player)

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William Neilson (1873-1960) was a Scottish rugby player. He was born in Holytown, near Glasgow, Scotland.

His father was James Neilson, an Ironmaster and second cousin of Walter Montgomerie Neilson and his mother was Jane Thomson, daughter of George Thomson, the famous Glasgow shipbuilder. He attended Merchiston Castle School and was captain of the rugby and cricket sides and School Prefect. He represented Scotland at rugby while still attending Merchiston and then left to go to Clare College at Cambridge University. He was President of the Scottish Rugby Union in 1905. He served in the 2nd Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry in World War 2. He then became a Barrister and settled in London.

Three of William's brothers, George Thomson Neilson, Walter Gordon Neilson and Robert Thomson Neilson also played international rugby for Scotland, George and Robert were also Presidents of the SRU. The brothers never got to play all at the same time, the best were different combos of two brothers, five times.

William Neilson died in Prestwick, Ayrshire in 1960.

[edit] References

• The history of Scottish Rugby by Sandy Thorburn