Jacky Morkel
Jan "Jacky" Willem Hurter Morkel (13 November 1890 – 15 May 1916) was a South African international rugby union player, who also played first class cricket. Morkel played at centre for Somerset West RFC and Western Province. He was selected for South Africa for the 1912–13 tour of the Home Nations and France. He played in 18 games on the tour, including all five test matches, and scored four tries, two of them against Ireland. His brother, Gerhard, and his cousins 'Boy' and Dougie, were also on the tour. Jacky Morkel also represented Transvaal in cricket.
| Date of birth | 13 November 1890 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Somerset West | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 15 May 1916 (aged 25) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | German East Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) |
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| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Military career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Buried | Dar es Salaam War Cemetery, Tanzania | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allegiance | South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service/ | Mounted Commandos, S.A. Forces | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Private | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unit | 1st Mounted Brigade, Van der Venter Scouts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Battles/wars | East African Campaign (World War I) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In the First World War, Morkel served as a scout in the 1st South African Mounted Brigade in German East Africa. When his unit was effectively cut off by the onset of the rainy season in April 1916, he and many of his fellow soldiers became sick. He died of dysentery, and is buried in the Dar es Salaam War Cemetery in modern-day Tanzania near Tommy Thompson, who was also on the 1912–1913 tour.
His entry on the International Roll of Honour reads:
He upheld in the worthiest possible manner the teachings of the rugby game....and his case will stand for all time as a shining example to his countrymen.