Frank de Marwicz

Frank de Marwicz was born in Germany, but grew up amongst the socialite life in Paris, and also on the French Rivera, and Monaco. His original name was Friedrich Alfred von der Marwitz, but the family name was changed to de Marwicz, after they moved to England, and Friedrich became Frederick. His father was French-German, while his mother was English. De Marwicz became a naturalised British citizen.

After education in Switzerland, de Marwicz went to Pembroke College, Cambridge. Between 1929-34 he played ice hockey for Cambridge University, London Lions, Streatham, and Wembley Lions. A left-winger, he made history on 14 February 1930, when he scored the very first goal in the newly formed British Championship for Cambridge against Prince’s, at Hammersmith. A regular England international, de Marwicz appeared for Great Britain at the 1930 World Championships. Following his playing days, he spent many years as an international referee.

During World War II, de Marwicz joined the Scots Guards in August 1940, and saw service in north-west Europe in 1944-45. Like his parents before him, de Marwicz enjoyed socialising with the elite and royalty. He started working for the Esso oil company in 1931 and, in the early 1960s, was appointed to the board of directors of British Mexican Petroleum. His uncle was novelist Sydney Schiff, also known as Stephen Hudson, and one of de Marwicz’s aunts was married to Count, Albert-Joseph Gautier-Vignal, a member of the IOC, and Monégasque Olympic Committee, who was a friend of Baron, Pierre de Coubertin.