We Will Remember Them: Easts Rugby Hosts Anzac Day Ceremony

Easts Rugby
Apr 20
4 min read

Updated: May 8

**Wallabies star Herbert Jones passes to Clarence Wallach during a NSW Waratahs match against the All Blacks in 1914. Both were killed in World War I. Photo: Sydney Mail**

This year carries extra significance for Easts Rugby. For the first time in over a decade, we are proud to be hosting our own Anzac Day ceremony at home, bringing our community together to honour those who served. We are privileged to be joined by the Rose Bay RSL Sub-Branch and the NSW Correctional Services Band, whose presence will add a deeply meaningful and ceremonial element to the day. We warmly invite all members, supporters, and the wider community to join us for this special occasion.

Each year on Anzac Day weekend, Easts Rugby proudly awards a 1st Grade player the Clarrie Wallach Medal to honour the memory of those from our club who served, and in many cases, made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. It’s a simple but deeply meaningful tradition; one that connects today’s players with a powerful legacy of courage, leadership, and community spirit.

This tradition is particularly inspired by the story of Clarrie Wallach, one of Easts' finest. Clarrie’s legacy is etched into our club’s DNA and into the broader story of Australian rugby and military history.

Born in Bondi in 1889, Clarrie was a standout player for Easts and represented Australia in five Tests between 1913 and 1914. In 1915, like many of his teammates, he answered the call to serve in the First World War.

The Sydney Mail 15 July 1914. 1. (top) Jones about to pass to Wallach. 2. (centre) Wallach tries to break free. 3. (bottom) A scrum breaks up. — *The Sydney Mail* 15 July 1914. 1. (top) Jones about to pass to Wallach. 2. (centre) Wallach tries to break free. 3. (bottom) A scrum breaks up.

He fought bravely at Gallipoli and later on the Western Front, where he quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a captain. He was awarded the Military Cross for his exceptional leadership during the Battle of Pozières, where he took command of his company under heavy fire and held the line.

Clarrie was gravely wounded during a German offensive in 1918. After enduring multiple surgeries, including the amputation of both legs, he passed away in hospital in Étretat, France. He was just 28. His funeral was attended by countless British and Australian officers, a testament to the respect he had earned on and off the field.

Clarrie’s story, along with those of fellow Easts players Harold George and Fred Thompson, who also fell at Gallipoli, reminds us that rugby isn’t just about what happens on the field. It’s about character, mateship, courage, and community. These are the same values that underpin Anzac Day, and the same values we strive to instill in every Easts player, 125 years on.

That’s why we continue this tradition each Anzac Day: to remember them, to honour them, and to teach future generations what it truly means to wear the jersey. This year, Easts Rugby will also be proudly represented at the Dawn Service at Bondi, standing in silence as the sun rises, shoulder to shoulder with our community, in tribute to those who gave everything.

Waratahs 1914 forwards (left to right): Harold Baker, ‘Doss’ Wallach, Jim Duffy, Ted Fahey, Clarrie Prentice, ‘Willie’ Watson, Harold George, Fred Thompson.

Clarence ‘Doss’ Wallach (Eastern Suburbs, Waratahs, Wallabies):

Played in all three Tests in 1914 against the All Blacks, after playing them twice on the Wallabies 1913 tour of New Zealand. Leaving Sydney with the rank of private, “he went right through Gallipoli without a scratch”, and was one of the last to leave the Peninsula. From there he went to France, was awarded the Military Cross “for conspicuous gallantry”, and was promoted to captain. Wounded in action he had both legs amputated in what proved to be a forlorn effort to save his life, passing away on 22 April 1918.

Harold Baker (Sydney, Eastern Suburbs, Waratahs, Wallabies):

Originally came into rep football as a fullback, he was chosen as a flanker (breakaway) in all three Tests for the Wallabies against the All Blacks in 1914. When the war came Baker was appointed as an officer in the 12th Light Horse Regiment, but had the misfortune while on a troopship steaming up the Red Sea into Egypt to fall and lacerate his spinal cord. Baker was for the most part immovable for the next four years, and it was a long time afterwards until he could walk again. Brother of Reginald ‘Snowy’ Baker who also played for NSW and the Wallabies.

Fred Thompson (Eastern Suburbs, Waratahs, Wallabies):

Thompson got into big football in 1911, when he played his initial games with Easts, being about 6ft high he was always prominent in line-out work, and possessed remarkable pace in following a ball. Member of the 1913 Wallabies tour to New Zealand, a highly regarded back-rower played in the two Tests held in Sydney against the All Blacks in 1914. Sailed with his AIF unit from Sydney in mid February 1915, but on 29 May was among the fallen at Gallipoli after being shot through the head.

There were a total of 133 international rugby players who lost their lives in World War I alone. The main memorial honouring them is the World Rugby Memorial, located near Craonnelle in the Aisne department of Northern France, where Clarrie’s name sits among others. It commemorates players from nine nations who fell between 1914 and 1918.