Great War Stories 3 - Ranji Wilson

All Black Ranji Wilson was 30 when he set off for France to fight with the Rifle Brigade during WWl. When he wasn't involved with trench warfare, his rugby skills were used to full advantage. Wilson vice captained the "Trench Blacks" to win against the French in 1918. After France (where he was injured at the Battle of Havrincourt), Wilson visited South Africa but wasn't allowed to play rugby because he was "coloured". Wilson, whose father was West Indian, became an All Black selector on his return to New Zealand and died in Lower Hutt in 1953.

He wasn't allowed to play in South Africa and they didn't choose him to play in North America either because of his colour.

– Diane Halstead on her great uncle, Ranji Wilson

Key Cast & Crew

Hilary Barry

Presenter, Narrator

Anna Cottrell

Writer, Director, Producer

Peter Metcalf

Editor

Mark White

As: Voice of Bill Payne

Brett Dumbleton

As: Voice of sports writer

John Patrick

Sound Recordist