The RNRU Mourns the Passing of Commander Terry Le Manquais Royal Navy
Commander Terry Le Manquais Royal Navy
It was sad to hear the news that Cdr Terry Le Manquais, a life member of the Royal Navy Rugby Union had sadly passed away. Terry was a former Chairman of US Portsmouth, taking the reigns from fellow RNRU Life Member Jeff Blackett in 1993. By then he was well versed in the requirements and tribulations of chairing rugby organisations as he had chaired the embryonic Navy Rugby U21 team through some troubled formative years.
His calm, and often unseen, hand on the tiller ensured that age grade rugby in the Naval Service was kept alive during the difficult period that saw the demise of U19 rugby and also the need for the RNRU to withdraw from the County Championship. The successful current U23 organisation can chart its roots back to Terry's influence which continued long after he stood down as chairman. His naval career was equally one of success.
He joined the Navy List as an Instructor Officer on a five year short career commission but soon transferred to a medium career commission in 1973 before finally joining the General List in 1979. During his Service he served on HMS Penelope and then HMS Alverstoke and proved to be a great friend of Navy Rugby during his appointment as Deputy Director of Physical Training and Sport.
Though he retired from the Service in 1996 he remained active in the RNRU through his position on the Admiralty Board and also through the Army Navy Rugby Committee. He was invited to become a Life Member in 2002. His contribution to Navy Rugby was enjoyed by many and his sad passing will likewise be mourned by all who were fortunate enough to work alongside him and enjoy his company on the touchline. Navy Rugby has lost a great man.
RFU Honorary Disciplinary Officer His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett said of Terry
‘Terry was a real man of rugby. He kept US Portsmouth going for many years while being a great supporter of Navy Rugby. The fact that he achieved Life Membership when he had not served on the RNRU Executive Committee is testament to the amount of work he did for the benefit of Navy Rugby and the high esteem in which he was held'.