Adrian Dura Stoop, MC (1883 - 1957) – Rugy Player and WW1 soldier

With thanks to Daniel for finding this information for us regarding Adrian Stoop, MC.

Adrian c. 1911

Born Adrian Dura Scoop in South Kensington, London, UK on 27th March 1883, his parents were Frederick Cornelious Stoop, who was Dutch, and his wife, Agnes Macfarlane Stoop, nee Clark, who was Scotish. Educated at Rugby school where he excelled at the sport of Rugby, Adrian went on to study law at Oxford University, where he played Rugby for the Blues.   He became a barrister and played Rugby for The Haliquins and England. 

During the First World War Adrian initially served as a second Lieuitenant in Mesopotena, soon being promoted to Captain with the 1/5th Bn Royal West Surrey Regt.  Adrian was wounded and awarded a Military Ctoss 

On 8th May 1918 in Bangalore, Madras, India, Adrian married Audrey Dehin Needham. 

After the war, Adrian returned to England and kept playing Rugby for the Haliquins until he was 56. He was President of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) in 1932.  Adrian died in 1957 at the age of 74 and is buried at Hartley Wintney, Hampshire, where he lived for many years. 

The Haliquins named their Stadium – The Stoop – in Adrian’s memory. 

Main source: Information supplied by Daniel.

Additional sources: Find my Past, FreeBMD,

http://en.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/player/1714.html