Obituary: Ken Smith CBE, Scotland international and former SRU President

A well known Borders farmer, he was capped 18 times for Scotland, played in four Tests for the British Lions and represented the Barbarians four times. An exceptional flank forward whose impressive pace and all-round skills made him a formidable opponent, he played nearly all his club rugby for Kelso. After playing he moved into the sport’s administrative side rising to become Chair of the International Rugby Board (later World Rugby) and President of the Scottish Rugby Union.

Having enjoyed the good fortune of winning his first cap in 1957 against Ireland as a late replacement for injured captain Jim Greenwood he grasped the opportunity, one report stating: “Smith confirmed in a fine fighting display that a place might probably have been found for him before.”

His selection for the 1959 Lions tour of Australia, New Zealand and Canada also arose due to a withdrawal through injury. That said, he soon demonstrated his worth as vouched by Bryn Thomas in his book Lions Courageous where he wrote: “Smith came in for the injured Robbins and proved himself not only an excellent tourist but a flank forward of Test quality.” During that four-and-a-half month trip Ken played in two successful Tests against Australia and two against New Zealand, notching 17 appearances altogether. Four appearances for the Barbarians in 1960 and ’61 topped off an outstanding career during which he overcame a broken neck to resume playing at the highest level.

​Ken Smith was capped 18 times for Scotland and played 17 games on the 1959 Lions tour

George Kenneth Smith was born in Edinburgh to parents George and May, née Ferguson, the younger brother of siblings Sheila and Robert, and was brought up in the city’s Fairmilehead. Father George had a butcher’s business but had roots in the Borders, one predecessor having been minister at Morebattle. Ken attended George Watson’s College where he began playing rugby and after spells in the front and second rows settled for life in the back row, representing the 1st XV between 1946 and ’48 and winning his Colours. He was a gifted athlete, winning the 220 and 880 yards at the annual sports, also earning Colours for athletics.

By the time he left school he had determined to become a farmer, influenced somewhat by family Borders farming connections. He progressed this aim by studying agriculture at Oklahoma University where he and his parents lived for a period following sister Sheila’s marriage to an American military officer. While serving as a Wren during the war she met her future husband, who was repatriated injured and the couple began married life there.

Farming life for Ken began as a shepherd at Kelsocleuch in the Cheviots before he and his father in partnership acquired Watherston, an upland farm at Galawater and then Ormiston Mains near Kelso in 1957, a mixed arable farm that Ken continued working successfully for 60 years, retiring aged 87. He took considerable pride in his husbandry and was highly regarded in farming circles, serving a period as Chair of Borders Grain Co-Operative.

After a brief period playing for Watsonians he committed to Kelso, where he was made captain in 1953/4. On 30 September, 1953 he received his first representative honour, selected for the South of Scotland in the initial match of the inaugural District Championship, against Edinburgh. Thereafter till the early ’60s he regularly appeared for the South, including matches against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. His international debut followed in February 1957 with his 18th and final cap coming in 1961 against England, while in 1959 he played for a combined Scottish/Irish team against England/Wales in a Twickenham Jubilee match.

After being President of Kelso in 1975-77, a period which included the club’s centenary, Ken’s first step on the administrative ladder was as South representative on the SRU General Committee in 1978, where his skill set paved the way for high-profile appointments. In 1981 he managed Scotland’s eight-match tour of New Zealand and two years later was appointed to the International Rugby Board. When Chair of the IRB in 1990/91 he met President FW De Klerk in South Africa to progress the return of the Springboks to the international arena and as SRU President in 1994/95 oversaw the sport’s transition towards professionalism, making many friends worldwide along the way.

In August 1958 in Edinburgh he married Susan, née Clark, whom he had first met when she was a student at the Royal Dick Veterinary College and together they enjoyed a happy marriage during which they had son Alistair.

Sadly Susan died in 1978. Later Ken formed a relationship with Judy Smith, widow of Arthur Smith the well-known rugby internationalist, and the couple enjoyed a rewarding partnership for 30 years.

She introduced him to golf and with trademark determination he succeeded in reaching a good standard, becoming an enthusiast. He was honoured to be appointed the first captain of the renowned Roxburghe Golf Club where Judy was Ladies’ captain.

Ken continued to be active in retirement and continued exercising in his local gym till comparatively recently. Widely considered an ‘absolute gent’ and ‘a lovely guy,’ he was highly regarded by all and was awarded a CBE in 1995 for services to rugby. He received this accolade from rugby icon and fellow Lions tourist Ken Scotland.

Writing in his autobiography he described him as “a very honourable man” – referring to a try Ken was convinced he legitimately scored against New Zealand only for the referee to disallow it. He is survived by his son.

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