Marines in China
Liversedge's Chinese rugby connection began in 1927 when, as part of a massive international force of some 25,000 troops, the U.S. Marines were sent to China to protect American interests in China from the threat of Chiang Kai Shek's Nationalist forces. Six months after arriving in Shanghai in March 1927, a contingent of Marines, including Liversedge was sent to Tientsin [Tianjin] in the north of China. In 1930, the Marine's monthly magazine Leatherneck explained what happened next;
1927. After the initial arduous duties incident to the occupation of billets by the 3rd Brigade in Tientsin, China, the usual penchant of Leathernecks for sports activities asserted itself. When the fall season of 1927 arrived, a large number of men desired to play [American] football, but no equipment was available, nor was there any outside competition to be had even though a team was formed. Without such competition, no Marine sports calendar is complete, and accordingly the outlook was anything but promising. However, a rugby football league composed of units of the British, French, and Japanese defense (sic) forces and a civilian team, was in process of formation, and in usual Marine fashion the "Marine can do anything" spirit manifested itself and under the leadership of Captain Liversedge a Leatherneck rugby squad was organized and a Marine team entered in the league.
January 1930, the 4th Regiment rugby team played the top Shanghai team.
These are photos from that 4th Marines Unit [[1]]
A complete slide show documenting Marine rugby in China from 1929-1941 is here [[2]]
