[1] Although never capped at international level in his own country, in 1888 Speakman was chosen to tour New Zealand and Australia as part of the first British Isles team.

At the time of the 1871 census, his mother was listed as the head of the household, with no father present, with Speakman sharing the family home with two elder and younger siblings.

[3] Despite not being chosen to play at international level for England, in 1888 Speakman was approached by Alfred Shaw and Arthur Shrewsbury to join the first British Isles rugby team to tour abroad.

The tour was a massive commitment, as it took almost a year to complete and due to the amateur nature of the sport was privately funded by each player.

Just as in the other regions he had settled in Speakman joined the local rugby club, first representing Charters Towers in 1892 and later becoming the team's captain.