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	Frederick Charles Belson

Frederick Belson was born 13th February 1874 in Ramsgate, Kent. He was educated at Clifton College from September 1886 until 1889. The original family home was Portsmouth, where his father was a sea captain. He attended Clifton College from September 1886 until 1889. Belson had played for Clifton from 1891 and joined Bath in 1894. He also played for Bristol, Newport and Abergavenny.

In 1891 the Belson family lived at 12 Beaconsfield Road, Clifton. His father, born abt. 1834 in Woolwich, Kent was Berkeley George A. Belson a retired Royal Navy Commander. His mother was Sarah Belson from New South Wales, Australia.

Above 12 Beaconsfield Road, Clifton. The original building has been replaced.

In 1895 Frederick Belson rowed with the Avon Rowing Club at the Reading Regatta alongside Bath and England Rugby International Frank Soane and again the following year at the Winsor & Eton Regatta.

Belson is listed as playing for Bristol versus Wellington on the 14th October 1896. Bristol won 16-0. He played for Bristol versus Newport on 21st November 1896. Newport won 28-0. Belson played 10 games for Bath during the 1896-97 season.

In September 1897, Belson appeared at a Newport trial match, playing first half for the District XV. The South Wales Daily News commented: "Belson and Parfitt (Ebbw Vale) who were given a trial amongst the premier forwards did not at all play badly, and once they become thoroughly acquainted with the tactics of the old 'uns should prove themselves to be very serviceable men. They did their share of scrummaging, and were smart in the open play, which is more than one can say of a few others in the pack…..It is forward, for once in a while, where Newport's weakness now seems to lay, and if they don't throw more energy into their play than they did on this occasion, well there! ---" Those who have met Belson as an opposing forward have never had occasion to complain of his want of energy."

He worked for The National Provincial Bank and he approached his manager to explain he had been invited to join the tour to Australia, and could he please have six months off! He was told he could go if he wanted to but shouldn't expect his job to be waiting for him on his return.

Ex Clifton player Frederick Charles Belson became one of the first British Lions when he is selected for a Great Britain touring team to Australia, referred to in those days as the Anglo-Australian Touring Team, not called the British Lions until 1924. He was one of 16 county players out of a squad of 22. He never did represent his country. A second leg to New Zealand was cancelled. The Australian tour started on the 14th June v Central Southern Union and finished on 12th August when they beat Australia 13-0.

It was reported in the Bath Chronicle on 24th September 1899 that F.C.Belson had obtained an appointment in Sydney and did not finish the tour with the English football team. Then when the Boer War broke out he enlisted in the army.

Above Frederick Belson in Boer War uniform.

He was commissioned a captain in Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry during the Boer War. They were involved in the Battle of Spion Kop on the 23-24th January 1900.

Above Lieutenant Colonel AW Thorneycroft

Above soldiers of Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry

He was listed on returning home on the SS Canada from Cape Town on July 8th 1902.

During the 1st World War he was a Lieutenant in the Royal Army Service Corp. Lt.F.C.Belson completed his service on September 26th 1919.

His two sons were born in England in 1916 and 1917

He emigrated to Canada but returned to England to fight in World War 1 with the Army Service Corps.

He emigrated to British Columbia, Canada in 1921.

He died on the 10 th August 1952 in Portsmouth.