As a young man, Alfred's father William (a Probate Registrar ultimately in charge of Durham) represented England in their very first Association football international (versus Scotland in November 1872). Alfred's mother was the daughter of an Anglican rector.

Educated at Sussex House School, Seaford, he then went to Durham School where he captained the XV, as well as leading the school at cricket, fives and in the gymnasium.

He went to Emmanuel College, Cambridge in 1912, gaining rugby blues that year and also in 1913. In college vacations his rugby was played with Harlequins, Durham City and the Durham County team. His England chance came in 1914, gaining three caps as hooker in the team's second successive Grand Slam season.

At cricket he also played for the Borderers, Durham City and Durham County, and his sporting prowess extended to hockey, at which he captained the college team.

At the outbreak of war and in his final year at university, he volunteered for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) but, as with many others, was assigned to the Royal Naval Division to form land battalions. Eight were initially formed and Maynard went to the 6th (Howe) Battalion. He served at the Defence of Antwerp 1914, the first Suez Canal Raid 1915 and at Gallipoli where he was wounded.

On the Western Front, Maynardtook part in the Battle of Ancre, the final act in the Somme campaign in 1916. His life ended at Beaumont Hamel where he was killed leading 'A' company of which he was Officer Commanding. Aged 22, he was the youngest of the 27 England internationals to die in the war.

Lieutenant Alfred Frederick Maynard has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial as well as St Margaret's church, Durham School, Durham Town Hall, Durham City Comrades Club and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, as well as our very own DCRFC memorial.

Many thanks to Carol Rolling for providing information and photographs.