Robert Lyne

Welsh-born Robert Lyne was educated in England at Cranbrook School Kent, where he started playing hockey. He left there in 1902 and joined the Bassaleg Hockey Club, and after two years moved to the Newport club. Lyne made his Wales début against England in 1906 and went on to establish himself as one of the best defenders in Wales in the early part of the 20th century. Lyne played for Wales in their only game at the 1908 London Olympics, a 3-1 defeat to Ireland, yet still collected a bronze medal.

During World War I, Lyne served with the 53rd (Welsh) Division in the Dardanelles and later served in Palestine with the Welsh Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (RFA). Lyne was a solicitor by profession, and was in partnership with his uncle Horace, who was at one-time the president of the Welsh Rugby Union. Robert became a barrister in 1922 after being called to the Inner Temple, and in 1935 was appointed Recorder of Hereford by King George V.

Lyne was also strongly involved in politics, and in 1924 became a Bristol city councillor, and was at one-time a Parliamentary candidate for the city. Lyne was awarded the OBE in 1950, and was the Lord Mayor of Bristol in 1951-52. He was best man at 1908 Olympic team-mate Frederick Phillips’ wedding in 1909.