Beethoven (Beet) Algar

All Blacks ID: #214

Born into a highly musical family, Algar was named after the German composer. He also had a brother named Haydn, who served in the Second Reserves during World War 1. His brother Eric, named as Beet's next-of-kin on enlistment, served in the First Reserves.

At 13, Algar had a disagreement with his father that led to his running away to Masterton, where he obtained a job at a hotel.

He played a few games of rugby for Wellington before enlisting in 1915.

After arriving in Egypt, he quickly grew bored with the constant patrolling, so when he was given the chance to join a New Zealand company with the Imperial Camel Corps, he took it eagerly.

He eventually was promoted to Sergeant with the Camel Corps.

At one point he was chosen to be a member of TE Lawrence's escort for two to three weeks. He found the famous Lawrence of Arabia to be rather aloof.

Algar was involved in all three battles for Gaza in 1918. During the third he was wounded and shipped back to Cairo before returning to New Zealand.

Algar returned to playing rugby after the war and represented New Zealand in the All Blacks in 1920-21. He captained the team for one game.

In 1920 he married Kathleen Norman. They had two sons and two daughters.

He became a builder with one of his brothers, and they built the first 36 houses in the Miramar suburb of Wellington before the Depression hit and they were forced to close their business.

Source: http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C...

If only a moderately successful All Black, Beethoven Algar enjoyed many distinctions, especially in the latter stages of his long life. His Christian name was one obvious cause for intrigue. His family was deeply involved in music and hence his being named after the famous German classical composer. Algar was also well into his 96th year when he died in 1989 and had been for many years the oldest surviving All Black.

A versatile player, Algar was equally adept playing at either first five eighths, second five eighths, centre and wing and the six appearances he made for the All Blacks covered all four positions.

Being tagged a utility was not the big drawback to Algar's rugby career, though. Rather he was one of those many players whose best rugby years were lost to a world war. In 1914 as a 20-year old he had made his debut for Wellington, starring in the successful Ranfurly Shield challenge against Taranaki by scoring a try and kicking a dropped goal.

But three matches for Wellington in 1915 ended Algar's active rugby for the next four years and he saw active service with the Wellington Mounted Rifles.

In 1919 he resumed his rugby career and played a prominent part in Wellington's shield defences in 1919 and 1920, gaining a place in the All Black team for a tour of Australia. He played only two of the seven matches in Australia, but two of the preliminary matches in New Zealand and against Wellington when the team arrived home.

Algar's last appearance for the All Blacks was against New South Wales at Christchurch in 1921, a lineup which may have been termed New Zealand "A" today as it included few of the players from that year's test series against the Springboks. Though he did not play in the match he was in the All Black squad for the final test against the South Africans.

In 1921 Algar had made the last of his three appearances for the North Island but he struggled to make other selections and missed Wellington's match against the Springboks. He made just one appearance for Wellington in 1922, bringing his tally for the union to 31 matches, before retiring.

Algar was a stalwart of Wellington's Poneke club and captained the senior side from 1919-22. When he retired he continued to give the club sterling service as an administrator and from 1978 until his death 11 years later he was the club's patron. His brother Doug represented Wellington 1920-22,24.

http://stats.allblacks.com/asp/Profile.asp?ABID=5

Beethoven Algar (28 May 1894 – 28 November 1989) was a New Zealand rugby union player. A back who played in any position from first five-eighth to wing, Algar represented Wellington at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, in 1920 and 1921. He played six matches for the All Blacks, including one as captain, but did not appear in any internationals.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beethoven_Algar

• Reference: BillionGraves - SmartCopy: Jun 7 2020, 23:27:47 UTC
• Reference: Famous People Throughout History - SmartCopy: Jun 8 2020, 22:49:36 UTC