--- title: "OKA Rugby Player" url: "https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/news/2024-01-01-oka-rugby-player" school: "Kirkham Grammar School" --- - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/kirkhamgrammarschool) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/user/KirkhamGrammar) - [Linked In](https://www.linkedin.com/school/kirkham-grammar-school) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/kirkhamgrammar) - [Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/kgsphotos/) - [Search](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/search) # OKA Rugby Player 1 January 2024 ![Image of OKA Rugby Player](https://files.schudio.com/kirkham-grammar-school/images/news/HC_1.jpg) The 100 years of KGS rugby article in the last Kirkhamian magazine prompted Old Kirkhamian, William Bamber Cartmell, to contact school. Mr Cartmell was a student at KGS between 1938 and 1945 when the Headmaster was Rev Creswell Strange and the Master in charge of sport was Mr Brian Stevenson. Mr Cartmell played rugby throughout his time at KGS, playing for the 1st XV and his Senior House Team (School) in the 6th form. He continued to play rugby when he left KGS to study veterinary science at Liverpool University. He represented Lancashire, with his highlight playing and winning against Australia in their 1947 tour of the UK. William continued to play rugby after university, playing for Gloucester RUFC 83 times as the outside half alongside Bob Hodge, who was from Wrea Green. He sends his congratulations and best wishes to KGS for the rest of this season and for their centenary season. ![](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/images/news/Cartmell_Lancs_rugby_1947.png) **Tags:** [OKA](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/news/tag/oka) - [ previous](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/news/2023-12-15-junior-and-infant-pupils-in-festive-spirits-after-trip-to-the-panto) - [next ](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/news/2024-01-08-third-year-pupil-aimee-crowned-u15-girl-lancashire-cross-country-champion) - [Mission Statement](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/about-us/mission-statement) - [Latest News](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/news) - [History of KGS](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/about-us/history) - [Location & Community](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/about-us/location) - [Term Dates](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/about-us/termdates) - [Statutory Information](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/about-us/statutory-information) - [School Policies](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/about-us/policy-documents) - [Calendar](https://calendar.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/week.aspx?ID=158) - [The Kirkhamian](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/news-1/the-kirkhamian) - [The Friends of KGS](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/thefriends-of-kgs) - [Old Kirkhamians' Association](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/old-kirkhamians-association) - [Hire of Facilities](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/about-us/hire-of-facilities) - [Vacancies](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/vacancies/our-vacancies) ## Kirkham Grammar School ## Kirkham Grammar Junior, Infant & Pre-School Ribby Rd Kirkham Preston Lancashire PR4 2BH Tel: **01772 684264** Email: Ribby Road Kirkham Preston Lancashire PR4 2BD Tel: **01772 673222** Email: [![HMC Leading Independent Schools](https://files.schudio.com/kirkham-grammar-school/images/partners/hmc.png)](https://www.hmc.org.uk/)[![Boarding Schools' Association](https://files.schudio.com/kirkham-grammar-school/images/partners/bsa.png)](http://www.boarding.org.uk/) © Copyright 2019–2026 Kirkham Grammar School School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)