Captain Gerard Bruce Crole MC (7 June 1894 – 31 March 1965) was a British colonial administrator, who represented Scotland in international rugby union and cricket,[1] and was also a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.
He was educated at Edinburgh Academy, and University College, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1914.
[8] On 28 June 1916 he was transferred to the General List, and appointed an observer in the Royal Flying Corps,[9] with the rank of temporary lieutenant from 1 July.
While operating between Douai and La Bassée on 25 June 1917 he shot down two Albatros D.V's within an hour (one shared with Lt. L. G. Blaxland).
[18][19] After the armistice in November 1918, Crole was repatriated, and on 6 May 1919 he was finally removed from the RAF and placed on the Unemployed List.
Post-war Crole continued in his sporting achievements, being selected to represent Scotland in the 1920 Five Nations Championship, playing in four matches between 1 January and 20 March 1920 and scoring three tries.
[25] In the final match of the tournament, against England at Twickenham on 20 March 1920, Crole was pitted against the English winger Cyril Lowe, like himself a former RFC flying ace.
[26] Crole's older half brother, Phipps Turnbull, had previously gained a six rugby caps for Scotland in 1901–02,[27] and played for Edinburgh Academicals.
Crole died in Aberdeen on 31 March 1965, and is buried in the family plot at Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh, Scotland.