- Type of Memorial
- Sculptured / Cast figure
- WMR Reference Number
- 68686
- Description
- Bronze figure of a male torso in forward movement holding a rugby ball. Set on an angled stone plinth set on an triangular plinth which bears plaques on each sides and is inscribed on all sides. The whole memorial is set on a triangular base.
- Inscription
- (Inscription on the triangular plinth)
'PRINCE ALEXANDER OBOLENSKY'
'JH'
'WARTIME PILOT'
'RUGBY LEGEND'
'SH'
'BY
HARRY GRAY'
(Plaque I on triangular plinth underneath inscribed "WARTIME PILOT")
A VOLUNTEER RAF PILOT IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR,/OBOLENSKY'S LIFE WAS CUT SHORT WHEN HIS/HURRICANE FIGHTER CRASH-LANDED AT/MARTIESHAM HEATH IN 1940.
OBOLENKSY IS BURIED IN IPSWICH CEMETERY/THE TRIBUTE ON THE GRAVE READS:/'HIS UNDAUNTED SPIRIT AND ENDEARING QUALITIES/LIVE FOR EVER IN THE HEARTS OF ALL WHO KNEW HIM'.
(Plaque II underneath inscription "PRINCE ALEXANDER OBOLENSKY")
A SPORTING ICON./THE PRINCE CAME FROM ST PETERSBURG AS A BABY/WHEN HIS FAMILY FLED THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION IN 1917/AN OXFORD GRADUATE, OBOLENSKY BECAME A/NATURALISED ENGLISHMAN./HE DIED NEAR IPSWICH AGED ONLY 24.
(Plaque III underneath inscription "RUGBY LEGEND")
OBOLENSKY A WINGER KNOWN AS THE PRINCE OF PACE./SCORED TWO 'BREATHTAKING' TRIES ON HIS INTERNATIONAL DEBUT AGAINST NEW ZEALAND AT TWICKENHAM IN 1936./ BRINGING ENGLAND'S FIRST VICTORY OVER THE ALL BLACKS./ HIS SECOND SCORE IS CALLED./'THE GREATEST ENGLAND TRY EVER'./HE ONCE PLAYED IN AN INTERNATIONAL RUGBY TRIAL AT PORTMAN ROAD FOOTBALL GROUND.
(Inscription on the base)
DS MW
EA
PG MC