Cecil Halliday Abercrombie (12 April 1886 – 31 May 1916) was a Scottish international rugby union player, first-class cricketer, and an officer in the Royal Navy.

The son of the Scotsman Walter Abercrombie,[1] an officer in the Indian Imperial Police, and his wife Kate, he was born in British India at Mozufferpore in April 1886.

[4] He passed out into the Royal Navy in 1902 and was posted as a naval cadet to the cruiser HMS Highflyer, serving on the East Indies Station.

[7] Having excelled at rugby union at Berkshampsted School,[3] Abercrombie played for the United Services when based at HMNB Portsmouth.

[9] Abercrombie was selected to play for Scotland in 1910, making his Test debut against Ireland at the Balmoral Showgrounds in the 1910 Five Nations Championship.

[11] Playing as a forward, he was said to have "abundant energy... a splendid physique, great speed and height, and a good pair of hands", and was noted to be a hard and low tackler, in addition to being an adept place-kicker.

He returned home in early 1916 and was posted aboard HMS Defence, the flagship of Rear Admiral Sir Robert Arbuthnot.

Abercrombie was present on the ship's bridge during the battle as she drew fire from several German vessels around 3 miles (4.8 km) away from the main British fleet.