Our History 2 of 3

2. The Post-War Revival


In the summer of 1946, the Club held its first Annual Meeting after the war in the Angel Hotel. Chairman H. Marley opened the proceedings by observing one minute's silence as a tribute to members lost during the war.

The first post-war match was played against Lockheed RFC who were formed during the war and were the only local side to play regular matches throughout this period.

Just prior to the outbreak of the war discussions were in hand for the purchase of a ground but now the Club had to search for a new regular home. They played their matches on Victoria Park. The Club struggled to put up two sides and results were poor. On Boxing Day 1946 the annual fixture between the 1st XV and the 2nd XV was revived and won by the 1st for the first time in fifteen years.

Membership increased rapidly and the Club was in the throes of team building and a first class XV was in embryo. The social side of the Club flourished; a trip to Twickenham was organised to watch England v Scotland on March 15th 1947 and 60 people attended the annual ball.

In 1947, Bob Bradshaw, Eric Shaw, Tom Downes, Dennis Littleford, Derek Townsend and D.H. King were chosen to represent the Warwick & Leamington District side.

The Annual Ball of 1949 saw 180 people attend. In March the Club moved from Victoria Park to a pitch on the Shrubland Hall Estate and in 1951 the Club moved again, back to the school pitches this time. Social events were well supported but the officers of the Club had to make regular appeals for new players to join the Club, for playing strength was low and worse: enthusiasm was sagging.