Doc Alcock
‘The Doc’ joined the Club as an administrator rather than player and in 1924 was elected as Club President, a position he was to occupy for 45 years.
He presided over the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the club, which included a match against a side raised by Capt Donne, the then President of the ERU.
‘The Doc’ played a much wider part in the life of the City. He was a founder member and Chairman of Hospital Welfare, and Chairman of the United Almshouses.
From 1943 to 1948 he was Chairman of the Gloucester and District National Savings Committee and during that time collected over £13,000,000 for ‘Wings for Victory’ and similar projects.
On his retirement as senior surgeon at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, he devoted himself to public service, and became City High Sheriff in 1953. He was on the committee of the Friends of Gloucester Cathedral and Chairman of the Three Choirs Festival, in which he and his wife also performed.
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Whilst Doctor Arnold Alcock did not play for Gloucester, he was a good player in his time, a hooker turning out for both Guy’s Hospital and Blackheath, both founder clubs of the RFU. On 8th September 1906 he played for England against the first ever touring Springboks at Crystal Palace. This was his only cap, awarded as a result of an administrative error. The RFU meant to invite Lancelot Slocock a second row. There were no substitutes so Dr Alcock had to play. It was a 3-3 draw a try a piece. Dr Alcock was my grandmother’s uncle. Happily Lancelot Slocock did get some caps but was killed on the Somme in 1916.
Proud to be a Cherry and White fan, despite living just up the road from Quins!
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