David Brown

The tragic life of David Brown is both sad and mesmerising to say the least.

Born in 1886 in Sydney, Brown found himself in Eastern Suburbs first grade Rugby Union side in 1906, aged just 20. He played alongside two men who would go on to be hall of famers at opposite ends of the world, Dally Messenger and Albert Rosenfeld.

Brown was a utility back, however he was most prominently a centre who played at five-eighth and on the wing. After finally making the grade in 1906, Brown made the bold move for a young player to align himself with the professional code. He lined up for NSW in their second and third games against the touring New Zealand professional side in 1907, leading him to being banned for life from the Rugby Union.

He was one of the first players on hand to join the Eastern Suburbs Rugby League club upon its formation on January 24, 1908. He played in the clubs first Premiership match on April 20, 1908, against Newtown, and also scored a try. He then played in a Possibles v Probables match and a month later, was in the NSW side that took on the visiting Maori side.

He finished the season with Easts, playing in the first ever Premiership decider, however Easts were unable to topple Souths, losing 14-12.

After playing one game in 1909 for Easts, Brown was named in the NSW side for two games against the returning Kangaroos squad, both games won by Australia. He then represented Metropolis against the visiting New Zealand side, scoring a try in the 27-18 victory.

This lead to him being named in the NSW side to face New Zealand and again he scored a try, but this time the Kiwi’s won 20-8.

He played 2 more games for NSW, this time against the returning Maori side, before being selected in the Australian side for all 3 games against the Maori. At the end of the 1909 season he lined up in 2 games for the Kangaroos twice in their controversial series against the Wallabies.

Brown then made the journey over to England, leaving behind a pregnant wife and 2 young children, in the hope of earning big money playing in the Northern Union. Upon arriving he advertised himself as having played for Australia, but given the games against the Maori were not recognised as official International fixtures, people thought he had lied in order to get an offer.

He got himself a job in the docks and was named in an Engines team that played against a Ships side. Brown then got signed by Barrow, however his time at the club was brief and uneventful. He played just 11 games before the club sent him home before the end of the season.

Brown returned home to find his wife had given birth to their child. She got pregnant again shortly after his arrival. He played in one final game for Easts in 1910, before retiring at the young age of 24.

On Christmas Eve, 1910, he was working as a railway porter at Homebush Railway station attending to the lights, when he had an accident and fell into a passing train, suffering a multitude of injuries. He was taken to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital but died shortly after admission.

His mother wrote a letter to the Barrow club, informing them of the tragic news. In that letter she described him as “a troubled boy”.

His fourth child was born the following year.