John Le Fleming

John Le Fleming (23 October 1865 – 7 October 1942) was an English sportsman who played rugby union for England and first-class cricket for Kent County Cricket Club. He played rugby for Blackheath F.C. and Cambridge University R.U.F.C. and was a good all-round athlete, competing in athletics and figure skating. He was an Army tutor at Tonbridge School and served in the British Army during World War I. Early life Le Fleming was born in October 1865 at Tonbridge, the eldest son of the Reverend John and Harriette Le Fleming. His father was employed as an Army tutor at Tonbridge School and all six of the couple's sons attended the school, John between 1878 and 1884. During his school years, Le Fleming played cricket and rugby union, captaining the cricket team in his final year. He was awarded the Athletics Points Cup in both 1883 and 1884 and went up to Clare College, Cambridge in the autumn of 1884. Whilst at Cambridge he played rugby for the University between 1884 and 1887, winning Blues in each season from 1884 to 1886. He competed in the hurdles in the Inter-University athletics competition from 1886 to 1888, winning in the last two years and gaining further Blues in each year, and was national amateur 120 yard hurdles champion in 1887. He also competed in the hammer competition. He did not play cricket for the University side, but did play for his college on at least one occasion. Le Fleming graduated with a degree in Classics in 1887 and was awarded his M.A. in 1902. He returned to Tonbridge in 1891 to take up a position as an Army tutor, following in the footsteps of his father. He was a fine all-round athlete and took part in figure skating competitions, winning trophies at Davos Platz in 1893.