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Robert Blair "Paddy"Mayne (Second from right) was born in Newtownards
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Robert Blair "Paddy"Mayne (Second from right) was born in Newtownards
Robert Blair " Paddy" Mayne (Second from right) was born in Newtownards, County Down, the second youngest of seven children. The Mayne family were prominent landowners who owned several retail businesses in the town. He was named Robert Blair after a second cousin, who at the time of his birth was a British Army officer serving in World War I. The family home, Mount Pleasant, is situated on the hills above Newtownards. A paternal ancestor was Gordon Turnbull, who led the famous Scotland Forever Charge at Waterloo.
He attended Regent House Grammar School. It was there that his talent for rugby union became evident, and he played for the school 1st XV and also the local Ards RFC team from the age of 16. While at school he also played cricket and golf, and showed aptitude as a marksman in the rifle club. On leaving school he studied law at Queens University of Belfast, studying to become a solicitor. While at university he took up boxing, becoming Irish Universities Heavyweight Champion in August 1936. He followed this by reaching the final of the British Universities Heavyweight Championship, but was beaten on points. With a handicap of 8, he won the Scrabo Golf Club Presidents Cup the next year.[citation needed]
Maynes first full Ireland cap also came in 1937, in a match against Wales. After gaining five more caps for Ireland as a lock forward, Mayne was selected for the 1938 British Lions tour to South Africa. While the Lions lost the first test, a South African newspaper stated Mayne was " outstanding in a pack which gamely and untiringly stood up to the tremendous task". He played in seventeen of the twenty provincial matches and in all three tests.[1] On returning from South Africa, he joined Malone RFC in Belfast.
In early 1939 he graduated from Queens and joined George Maclaine & Co in Belfast, having been articled to TCG Mackintosh for the five previous years. Mayne won praise during the three Ireland matches he played in 1939, with one report stating " Mayne, whose quiet almost ruthless efficiency is in direct contrast to O Loughlins exuberance, appears on the slow side, but he covers the ground at an extraordinary speed for a man of his build, as many a three quarter and full back have discovered." [2] His legal and sporting careers were cut short by the outbreak of World War II.
Circa 1945
Daily Mirror
Mirrorpix
England
Media ID 21650096
© Mirrorpix
Amateur Boxer Rugby Union Solicitor Solider
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures Robert Blair "Paddy". Mayne, second from the right, who was born in Newtownards, County Down. Coming from a prominent landowning family with several retail businesses in town, Mayne's upbringing was privileged. He was named after his second cousin, a British Army officer serving in World War I. The family resided at Mount Pleasant, situated on the hills above Newtownards. Mayne's talent for rugby union became evident during his time at Regent House Grammar School. He played for both the school 1st XV and the local Ards RFC team from a young age. Alongside rugby, he also excelled in cricket and golf and showed promise as a marksman. After completing his education at Queens University of Belfast to become a solicitor, Mayne pursued boxing and won the Irish Universities Heavyweight Championship in 1936. His sporting achievements continued as he represented Ireland in rugby union matches and earned five caps before being selected for the 1938 British Lions tour to South Africa. Returning from South Africa, Mayne joined Malone RFC in Belfast while working as a solicitor at George Maclaine & Co. Despite excelling both on the field and professionally, his legal career was cut short by World War II. This print offers a glimpse into the life of Robert Blair "Paddy". Mayne before he became known as one of Northern Ireland's most decorated soldiers during WWII.
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