The End of an Era - Peter Cunningham Crosses the Bar

Yesterday saw the end of an era with the sad passing of Peter Cunningham after a short illness. He was a true conrinthian of the sport of rugby, a delightful raconteur and an embodiment of the values of the Game that many of us speak about but few truly live by. Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, Sportsmanship - Peter lived by and delivered them all.

In 1967 he followed one of Navy Rugby's great leaders onto the field, Mike Davis, and fifty years later his astonishing achievement of half a century of continuous active service to Navy Rugby was recognised at the Referee's dinner when Peter finally decided to hang up his whistle and retire from the Game, he so clearly loved, as a participant. His contribution to Navy Rugby is not one that is easily found through Google or written accolades, rather it is through the many ancedotes handed down from those who were touched by Peter's generosity of spirit and whose enjoyment of rugby was enhanced by Peter's contribution to Navy and Hampshire rugby at grass roots level. And those roots that Peter often helped to bed down proved to be most fruitful in reminding us all what the great Game of rugby still remains all about.

As he crosses the bar he leaves behnd a rich legacy of memories, stories and friendships which will never be replaced and will never be forgotten.

Geraint

Peter was a product of Portsmouth Grammar School and joined BRNC Dartmouth fresh from their 1xt XV. One of his earliest games was for the College when they played Dartmouth in preparation for the annual game against Sandhurst in 1963. The master in charge of rugby at the college in those days was Mark Sugden (Ireland) and he persuaded three internationals in Richard Sharpe, Treymane Rodd and Mike Davis to turnout aginst the young students. It left a remarkable impression on the 18 year old Peter Cunningham and probably enshrined in him an understanding of being a servant to the game and what an influence can be achieved by those giving of their time to provide an experience for others. It was clear that Mark, who spend 33 years teaching at hte college, had a significant impact on Peter's rugby philosphy which was to serve him well throughout his Royal Navy career and beyond. Some four years later Mike Davis was to be the Captain of the Navy side which fetured Peter at fullback for his two Navy caps.

Though he only represented the Navy in that one year he remained active on he rugby field as his career took him to the Far East and around the World. His keen observational skills ensured that such delights as POPT Brian Goodwin's summer employment driving the Burnaby Road tractor whilst he waited for the next rugby season to come around were not lost. Or some of the sharp practice employed by Navy great, Danny Irvine, to ensure HMS Lynx was the dominant rugby playing ship in the Far East.

However in 1980 Peter decided that his playing days should be in the past and decided to take up the art of refereeing. His career as a referee was unique and during the last couple couple of years of his whistling career, when by his own admission his legs were beginning to fail, teams across both the Royal Navy and Hampshire afforded Peter the greatest mark of Respect any referee could ask for - they simply played the game without trying to catch the man in the middle out! And if the game was getting to fast it was even known that one or two experienced members in the opposing packs would slow it down to Peter's pace!

Peter was a reliable servant to many a harrassed Appointments Secretary for 37 years. He would never dream of taking a game from a young up and coming referee but also he would never countanenace a game not taking place for the lack of a referee. He always found a way to make himself available and always took his fitness extremely seriously, although he managed to find humour in most of every thing else he did. He officiated at every single Emerging Schools tournament, hosted on Army Navy day and though I have not verified it I would be suprised if any referee offciated more Navy rugby matches than Peter achieved.

Not content to particpate with the whistle in hand Peter also, for many years, was the organising tour de force behind the annual Navy Referees Dinner. I speak from first hand experience as to what a accomplished adminstrator he was. He never had to be chased for outstanding actions, and was always one step ahead. Music from a Royal Marines Band quarter was always available, a great mix of rugby folk persuaded to attend and all the thank you letters written with care in his wonderful hand written style. Indeed the greatest compliment I received as the Chairman of Referees was from the then President of the Rugby Football Union, Roy Manock. Having been guest of honour at the dinner he was undecided when we spoke after the event what left the greater impression on him. Being mugged on his walk back to his hotel, or Peter's surperb organisation of the evening. Naturally Peter was mortified to hear about the mugging and though I have no evidence I am sure a suitable handwritten note was despatched by the next post!

Though he had joined the Navy as a Cadet, Peter left the Navy with farewell drinks hosted in Hardy's Cabin on board HMS Victory. The interpretor and enjoyed a varied and colourful career serving on ships from minesweepers to the Ark Royal and also HMS Invincible. His last employment had been helping with the Combined Cadet Force where he had worked for fifteen years, helping to shape many of the Royal Navy's future talent.

Peter will be greatly missed but never forgotten and I think it is only appropriate that such a humble man gets to have the final words. Before he passed away I requested of Peter to use some of the information he sent to me in support of the ongoing project "The HIstory of Navy Rugby" which he was a significant contributor to, along with his letter announcing his resignation as a referee. Below I have reproduced in full this letter along with a personal photo he sent me when visiting the last resting place of the man who started it all - the Reverend William Webb Ellis. I think for those of us who knew Peter the letter describes, so much better than anyone else could, how he saw his rugby and rugby refereeing career.

Peter Cunningham - Resti in Peace

Gentlemen,

Thank you wholeheartedly for the enormous fun that you and your predecessors have permitted me since the early 1980s in refereeing amateur Rugby matches in Hampshire and the Royal Navy.

I have enjoyed it immensely - not only the games themselves - men, ladies, young people and vets - but the chance it offered to make and, equally importantly, to maintain friendships during the ‘ Third Half ’. In my view a jewel in our game’s ethos that we should guard carefully.

Far from being a high - flyer as a referee but enjoying hugely the good company of fellow referees and players, I found great pleasure and much fun in the last three decades or so, refereeing the likes of Huntley and Palmers (Ginger Biscuits) 3rds v Old Bloberdonians ‘Extra B’ and always admired the 100% effort exhibited and, very nearly always, the good humour - games in which the hugely modest standard of play was matched only by the even more modest standard of the refereeing !

I often think of Willie John Mcbride’s observation on the game, made while captaining Ireland and the Lions, that Rugby is far too important to be taken seriously. Certainly not a counsel to ‘take it easy’ but perhaps a plea, while striving constantly and determinedly for excellence, for the game to be kept in perspective at all levels.

Despite training pretty regularly this last Summer at Gosport Park, and having undertaken warm weather training in Arabia, (very) cold weather training in Mongolia, and wet weather training in the Lake District, I feel that it is time to acknowledge that, curiously and quite inexplicably, I am no longer quite as nippy as I remember being at the time of the laying to rest of the late King and should, therefore, now stop refereeing Rugby matches - very much as I would like to continue as I’m sure you can imagine !!

So, again, thank you very much for your warm friendship and excellent company over the decades which has been much appreciated and very best wishes to you all for your continued enjoyment of every aspect of such a marvellous game.

Allbest,

Peter Cunningham, (Level 12 and counting !)

Image Credits:
Peter Cunningham images then and now at Portsmouth Grammar School (1962 & 2012) Portsmouth News
Peter Cunningham visiting the last resting place of Reverend WIlliam Webb Ellis courtesy of Peter Cunningam
Peter Cunningham at the RNRURS Awards, Alligin Photography

History is about people not about dates and data. The History of Navy Rugby website remains dedicated to bringing you the stories behind the players, officals and administrators that made the Union what it is today. The views are those of Alligin Photography alone. We remain proudly unofficial.

Peter Cunningham - 1944 - 2018