SOLDIER ATHLETES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24178, 21 January 1942, Page 5

SOLDIER ATHLETES

GALLANTRY OF LIEUTENANT Second-Lieutenant Max Hill, who was killed in Libya, and has been awarded Ihe Military Cross for outstanding gallantry, was an old boy of Wellington College, and was an exceptionally well-known and popular athlete in Eastbourne. For many years he was a member of the Eastbourne Rugby Football Club and played five-eighths and fullback for the senior team. He later played for the Old Boys senior team in Palmerston North. Hill also played for the Eastbourne senior cricket team in the Hutt Valley competitions and was a member of the Muritai Tennis Club's team. Furthermore, he was a good runner, gaining second place in the 440 yds in Cairo against many well-known performers, and an excellent swimmer. Many people will recall his jumping from the Eastbourne ferry boat," fully clothed, and swimming a considerable distance in order to save the life of a woman. Throughout his life Hill was intensely interested in all sports and on the administrative side he was secretary and treasurer of the Eastbourne Rugby Football Club, treasurer of the cricket club, and a committee member of the Muritai Tennis Club. Leading-Aircraftman Gordon Keith Claris, who was a victim of a recent flying accident, was a prominent member of the University Rugby Club (Wellington) a few years ago. While attending Wellington College he was a member of the first fifteen in 1028 and subsequently played for Training College in mi and 3932. The next two years found him hooking for University, and he proved to be one of the best players in that important position that the club has had in recent years. Claris also gave his attention to other branches of sport. He was an enthusiastic tennis player, was a member of the Kelburn Badminton Club, and took part in the trials for tho selection of the Victoria College boxing team for the University championships.