Ed St George

Allen Alfred St George was born on 24 April 1910. His father was Robert Montgomery St George (1874–1946) and his mother was Lillian Neville St George (c.1874–1916). Ed was the youngest of six children, his older siblings being: the eldest was born in 1886 and was unnamed in the New Zealand Births, Deaths and Marriages records, followed by Neville St George (b.1897), Stewart Lyell (b.1899), Lillian Edith Melba (b.1903), Laurel Margaret (b.1906), Ella Mavis (b.1908). After his mother's death in 1916, his father Robert remarried to Fanny Jewell Huxtable in 1919. Ed's brother Neville also represented New Zealand at rugby league and the brothers would oppose each other in the hooking position in two matches in club rugby league in 1930 in Neville's final season.

It appears that St George was playing for one of the Ellerslie United club teams in the Sixth grade of the Auckland Rugby League junior competitions in 1925.{{cite news

| title = Sixth Grade

| page = 10

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 101

| date = 1925-05-01

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19250501.2.143

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} By 1926 he had moved up to the fifth grade at the start of the season.{{cite news

| title = Ellerslie United

| page = 12

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume 101, Issue 101

| date = 1926-04-30

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19260430.2.167

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} However, he was then listed in the Manukau Rovers rugby fourth grade side by midseason.{{cite news

| title = Manukau Rovers

| page = 12

| publisher =

| date = 1926-05-14

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19260514.2.150

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} Then in 1927, he progressed to their third grade team. He was being listed in the front row.{{cite news

| title = Manukau

| page = 13

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 153

| date = 1927-07-01

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19270701.2.140.3

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} There was however no mention of him in the newspapers again until 1930 until he reappeared in the Manukau Rovers senior B side to start the season.{{cite news

| title =Manukau Rovers

| page = 15

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 96

| date = 1930-04-24

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19300424.2.164.1

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}}

Newton began their 1930 season on April 26 against Devonport United, Ed's brother, Neville's side. Ed was not playing being listed in their side at this point as he was still being named to play for the Manukau Rovers senior B rugby union side.{{cite news

| title = Teams For Today

| page = 19

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20548

| date = 1930-04-26

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19300426.2.191.3

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} He does not appear to have played in their round 2 match against City Rovers but made his debut for Newton on May 10 at the Auckland Domain. Newton won the match 14–8 with St George scoring a try. In the team was former Manukau Rovers senior player Cyril Brimble. His brother, Ted Brimble, also a player at Manukau rugby would join the Newton side also in June. Ed was said to have played a “good game” along with Ray Middleton and Allen.{{cite news

| title = Newton's Good Display

| page = 14

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20561

| date = 1930-05-12

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19300512.2.152

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} His try came at the start of the second half when the scorers were 8-8. Newton got an attacking scrum and following a melee “St George scored under the posts”.{{cite news

| title = An Interesting Contest

| page = 15

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20561

| date = 1930-05-12

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19300512.2.168.3

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} The Auckland Star said he was “prominent” along with Middleton.{{cite news

| title = Newton Shine

| page = 14

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 110

| date = 1930-05-12

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19300512.2.197

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} He next played in a match against Ponsonby United on May 24. Newton lost 14–10 on Carlaw Park number 2 field. With Newton leading 10-9 “St George appeared to score at the end of a Newton onslaught, but was brought back for a scrum”. The Star commented that “St. George and Francis, and to a lesser extent, Kirkup, Allan, and Butler, were keen and active forwards”.{{cite news

| title = Newton Staved Off

| page = 15

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 122

| date = 1930-05-26

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19300526.2.160

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} The Sun newspaper said that of the Newton forwards “St George, perhaps, was outstanding”.{{cite news

| title = Good Fight By Rangers

| page = 8

| publisher = Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 981

| date = 1930-05-26

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SUNAK19300526.2.43.4

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} Following an 11–3 win over Richmond Rovers on June 7 he scored his second try in a 21–10 loss to Marist Old Boys on June 21 in the main match on Carlaw Park #1. His try came after Ted Brimble (future, New Zealand international) in his debut game of rugby league) got the ball from a short drop out by Charles Gregory and “paved the way for St George to score under the posts” after he beat Norman Drew and passed the ball.{{cite news

| title = Overshadowed/Pace of Marist Backs Tells Against Newton

| page = 2

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 145

| date = 1930-06-21

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19300621.2.133.10.3

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} He was said to be one of “the most outstanding Newton forward’s” along with Kirkup, Middleton, and Ferguson.{{cite news

| title = Marist Easily

| page = 14

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 146

| date = 1930-06-23

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19300623.2.143

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} Following a June 28 win over Ellerslie Newton met Devonport United. This saw Ed come literally face to face with his brother Neville as they were both hookers on opposing sides and would have been directly packing down and contesting the ball in the scrums. The Devonport side won 5–0 with the Auckland Star reporting that Neville had a good game for them while “another St George was one of the shining lights in the Newton pack”.{{cite news

| title = Play In The Mud/Shore Down Newton

| page = 16

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 158

| date = 1930-07-07

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19300707.2.155.1

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} The New Zealand Herald said that he and Kirkup “were most prominent”.{{cite news

| title = The League Code

| page = 14

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20609

| date = 1930-07-07

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19300707.2.130

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}}

In a 21–8 loss to City Rovers on July 12 in round 9 he was said to have worked hard.{{cite news

| title = City Prevail

| page = 14

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 164

| date = 1930-07-14

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19300714.2.140

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} Then in a surprise 13–5 loss to Kingsland Athletic he set up a try after “eluding [Claude] List transferred to [Ray] Middleton, who dived over just outside the posts”. The Star went on to say that he was “the head of affairs” in their forward pack.{{cite news

| title = Easy Win

| page = 13

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 170

| date = 1930-07-21

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19300721.2.141

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} The Sun said that he and Middleton were “continually in the picture”.{{cite news

| title = Surprise Victory For Kingsland Over Rangers

| page = 7

| publisher = Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1029

| date = 1930-07-21

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SUNAK19300721.2.37

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} The following week in round 11 he scored his third try of the season in an 18–7 loss to Ponsonby at Carlaw Park. He scored “under the posts” after some hard work by Newton to make the score 8–3 to Ponsonby.{{cite news

| title = Newton's Good Showing

| page = 14

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 182

| date = 1930-08-04

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19300804.2.236

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} Francis was said to be their best forward with Mollett and St George “about the best of the remainder”.{{cite news

| title = Newton's Lapse

| page = 7

| publisher = Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1041

| date = 1930-08-04

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SUNAK19300804.2.34

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} In an 11–3 win over Richmond he “played well among the Newton forwards in the loose, but Richmond had an advantage in the scrum work”.{{cite news

| title = Richmond Goes Down To Newton's Close Methods

| page = 6

| publisher = Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1053

| date = 1930-08-18

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SUNAK19300818.2.23.15

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} After a 16–16 draw with Marist, Newton faced Devonport once again. It was the first round of the Roope Rooster knockout competition and was ultimately Newton's final match of the season as they lost 15-2 and were eliminated from the competition. The Auckland Star said that “St George junior compared well with his brother, getting the ball in the scrums”.{{cite news

| title = Shore Improved

| page = 12

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 212

| date = 1930-09-08

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19300908.2.139.3

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}} Though they had earlier said that his brother Neville had done the same and The Sun wrote that Neville “hooking in the black scrum, beat the Newton man almost every time”, though they did say that Ed was one of the best Newton forwards along with Mollett and Francis.{{cite news

| title = Shore's Second Half Victory

| page = 6

| publisher = Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1071

| date = 1930-09-08

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SUNAK19300908.2.46.3

| accessdate = 2023-04-24}}

St George's first game for Newton in the 1931 season was against the combined Ellerslie-Ōtāhuhu side on May 2. The match was drawn 5–5 at the Ellerslie Reserve with St George in the hooker position. His brother Neville had retired at the end of the 1930 season. It was said that Stanley Francis was the stand out forward for Newton and “his associates. Particularly St. George, were always battles, and the hooking was first class”.{{cite news

| title = Ellerslie and Newton Draw

| page = 14

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 103

| date = 1931-05-04

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19310504.2.131

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} He played in matches against Devonport, Richmond Rovers, Ponsonby, and Marist though was not mentioned in any match reports. In round 6 Newton played against City on a very muddy Western Springs ground and drew 0-0. St George was said to be “prominent” along with some other Newton forwards and “worked well”.{{cite news

| title = Newton's Surprise

| page = 12

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 139

| date = 1931-06-15

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19310615.2.193

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}}{{cite news

| title = Better Combination Wins

| page = 11

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20899

| date = 1931-06-15

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19310615.2.134

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} In round 8 on June 27 he scored 2 tries in a 14–3 win over the Ellerslie-Ōtāhuhu side at Carlaw Park. The Auckland Star said that he “showed to advantage on several occasions with a good run with the ball at toe”.{{cite news

| title = A Dull Game

| page = 14

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 151

| date = 1931-06-29

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19310629.2.157

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} While the Herald said “St. George ably led the Newton forwards. He was a tireless worker, particularly in the loose, and he gave the backs excellent support”.{{cite news

| title = Individual Efforts

| page = 11

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20911

| date = 1931-06-29

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19310629.2.128

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} His first try came when the “Newton forwards swept over the opposition and St George scored a nice try” while his second came late in the first half when Newton had been “superior in the loose and [he] broke through and scored”.{{cite news

| title = Newton Superior

| page = 12

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20911

| date = 1931-06-29

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19310629.2.131.3

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}}

Their next match was against his brother's old side, Devonport at the Devonport Domain on July 4. Devonport won 20 points to 5 with the Auckland Star saying that “St George again upheld the family name as a good rake”.{{cite news

| title = Shore Battle

| page = 14

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 157

| date = 1931-07-06

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19310706.2.152

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} Then in a 17–9 loss to Marist on July 11 he and some other Newton forwards “were ever in the fray” and he along with the others were “sound on both defence and attack”.{{cite news

| title = Sparkling Backs

| page = 12

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 163

| date = 1931-07-13

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19310713.2.137

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}}{{cite news

| title = League Comments

| page = 13

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20923

| date = 1931-07-13

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19310713.2.146

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} Against Ponsonby at Stafford Park in Northcote, Newton were defeated 12–7. It was said that there “was not much between him” and his Ponsonby opposite, Stevens.{{cite news

| title = Won With The Wind

| page = 12

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 169

| date = 1931-07-20

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19310720.2.136

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} He combined in a break with halfback Porteous, before Pope sent Hill over for a try in the first half.{{cite news

| title = Fast Game At Northcote

| page = 12

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20929

| date = 1931-07-20

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19310720.2.148.1

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} In an 8–0 loss to Richmond at Carlaw Park he was “good in the pack” along with Kirkup and Emanuel.{{cite news

| title = Richmond Improve

| page = 11

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 175

| date = 1931-07-27

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19310727.2.125

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} While the Herald described his forward play as “excellent” along with Ferguson.{{cite news

| title = League Comments

| page = 12

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20935

| date = 1931-07-27

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19310727.2.143

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} Against City in round 13 he scored two more tries in a 23–10 win. He set up their first try as well after a “nice run” before Ferguson scored. His first try came in the second half after he supported Hill who passed to him and he scored between the posts to make the score 16–10. Then from “another sweeping offensive” he scored again.{{cite news

| title = Easy Win For Newton

| page = 12

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20941

| date = 1931-08-03

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19310803.2.123.1

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} The Herald said that St George was “outstanding”.{{cite news

| title = League Comments

| page = 12

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20941

| date = 1931-08-03

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19310803.2.124

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} On August 9 Newton travelled to Hamilton to play the local side at Hinemoa Park. Newton won 28–6 with St George passing to Ted Brimble who scored to give them a 16–0 lead.{{cite news

| title = Newton Team's Success

| page = 3

| publisher = Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18403

| date = 1932-08-10

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19310810.2.11

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}}

Newton played two more matches against Hamilton on August 22 and then Devonport on August 28. Against Hamilton at Carlaw Park Newton won 8 to 5 with St George kicking a penalty.{{cite news

| title = Hamilton Down

| page = 12

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 199

| date = 1931-08-24

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19310824.2.135.6

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} The later match was a loss in the Roope Rooster competition and saw their season end. St George was then chosen in a 20-man practice squad for Auckland who were preparing for a match against Northland on September 26 at Carlaw Park.{{cite news

| title = Players For Practice

| page = 12

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20983

| date = 1931-09-21

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19310921.2.124.1

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} He was then named in the reserves a day before the match.{{cite news

| title = Northern Union Cup

| page = 12

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 227

| date = 1931-09-25

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19310925.2.151

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} However, on the day of the match he was named to start in place of Gordon Campbell. With Auckland trailing 5-3 he led the Auckland forwards along with Stan Clark and Dick Smith picked up the ball and passed to Pat Meehan who scored. The match eventually ended in a 19–19 draw.{{cite news

| title = Representative Fixture

| page = 10

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20989

| date = 1931-09-28

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19310928.2.131.5

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}}

Then at the start of October, St George was chosen to go into training for an Auckland Colts squad of 24 players to prepare to play against the touring Eastern Suburbs side from Sydney which was touring the northern part of New Zealand.{{cite news

| title = Colts For Training

| page = 8

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 232

| date = 1931-10-01

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19311001.2.80

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} He was ultimately chosen to play at hooker with Heck Lunn and Hugh Simpson in the prop positions.{{cite news

| title = Eastern Suburbs V. Colts

| page = 12

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 248

| date = 1931-10-20

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19311020.2.132

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} The Colts side lost the match 18–13 at Carlaw Park on October 21.{{cite news

| title = League Finale

| page = 16

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 250

| date = 1931-10-22

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19311022.2.149

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}}

The 1932 season saw St George playing for Newton Rangers once more. His first match was against City on April 30. Newton won 18–5 at the Auckland Domain. Late in the match he made “a good dash” which “was finished off by [Charles] Allen”.{{cite news

| title = Ragged Display

| page = 13

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21171

| date = 1932-05-02

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19320502.2.158.2

| accessdate = 2023-04-26}} In their 8–8 draw with Devonport in round 3 on May 21 he was said to be “full of pep” along with the rest of the forwards and he, Trevor Hall, and Ray Middleton “commanded much admiration”.{{cite news

| title = Rangers Worry Shore

| page = 13

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 120

| date = 1932-05-23

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19320523.2.152.2

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} In the first half he “initiated a clever movement and sent [Ted] Brimble over for a try under the posts.{{cite news

| title = A Fast Exhibition

| page = 12

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21189

| date = 1932-05-23

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19320523.2.144.3

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} They lost to Marist 13-10 in round 5 with the Auckland Star saying St George, Hall, and Kirkup “had a great trio”.{{cite news

| title = Hard Fought All The Way

| page = 13

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 132

| date = 1932-06-06

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19320606.2.185

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} The Herald made similar remarks stating “the Newton forwards all worked hard, Hall, St George, Allen and Kirkup being the most prominent”.{{cite news

| title = Fast Exhibition Of Code

| page = 11

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21201

| date = 1932-06-06

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19320606.2.135

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} He was “prominent” again in Newton's 13–13 draw with City on June 4.{{cite news

| title = Honours Even

| page = 13

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 138

| date = 1932-06-13

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19320613.2.141

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}}

After 3 more matches for Newton, St George was named at hooker for a trial match at Carlaw Park. The England rugby league team was touring New Zealand later in the year and so a series of representative matches and trials were planned. Auckland were playing South Auckland on July 16 with a trial amongst the best other Auckland players as curtain-raiser. St George was chosen in the Probables side at hooker, matching up with Stevens from Ponsonby in the Possibles side. Gordon Campbell had been selected to hook for the Auckland side in their representative fixture.{{cite news

| title = League Football/South Auckland Match

| page = 13

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 163

| date = 1932-07-12

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19320712.2.126

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} The Probables side won the game by 26 points to 12.{{cite news

| title = Fast Trial Match Played

| page = 12

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21237

| date = 1932-07-18

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19320718.2.133.6

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} A week later on July 23 another Auckland trial was held, this time as curtain-raiser to the North Island – South Island inter-island match at Carlaw Park. R. Stephenson of the South Auckland (Waikato) league had been selected at hooker for the North Island while St George was playing for the Possibles side opposite Gordon Campbell in the Probables.{{cite news

| title = Representative Trial

| page = 10

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 172

| date = 1932-07-22

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19320722.2.139

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} His Possibles side won easily by 37 points to 16 with St George scoring a first half try after good play by Crook.{{cite news

| title = Poor Display Of The Code

| page = 12

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21243

| date = 1932-07-25

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19320725.2.119.5

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}}

File:New Zealand rugby league team of 1932.pngFollowing the inter-island and trial matches St George was a surprise selection for New Zealand to play England in the first test at Carlaw Park on July 30. The New Zealand Herald said that “there are some surprises in the selection, chief among these being the inclusion of St George as hooker. The Newton forward, while being good in the loose, has not been so successful as other hookers in club football. Stephenson hooked for the North Island team and the selectors have now placed him as a front row forward”.{{cite news

| title = St. George Gains A Place

| page = 11

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21243

| date = 1932-07-25

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19320725.2.113

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} The selectors, [Scotty] McClymont, A Ferguson, and J Sanders had chosen St George to play between props Jim Calder and Bob Stephenson who had both debuted for New Zealand in 1930.{{cite news

| title = New Zealand Representatives

| page = 13

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 174

| date = 1932-07-25

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19320725.2.148

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} The Auckland Star wrote “four very young players who will be wearing the All Black [rugby league] jersey for the first time are [Albert] Laing, [Peter] Hart (who has just turned 18 years of age), [Jonas] Masters and St George. The last mentioned, a member of the Newton Rangers club and brother of Neville St George, the well-known Devonport and Auckland hooker a few years ago, had not played for the North Island, in which Laing made his first appearance at the week-end”. They went on to also comment that “the front row men should go down in well-balanced style. With Calder and Stephenson, North Island and “Kiwi” hookers, to aid him, St George should have a fair chance to rake the ball successfully. The new hooker is a rugged sort and brilliant in the loose where he runs and handles like a back”.{{cite news

| title = The Opening Test/First N.Z. Selection

| page = 13

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 175

| date = 1932-07-26

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19320726.2.141

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}}

File:New Zealand rugby league team of 1932 2.pngEngland won the match at Carlaw park on July 30 easily by 24 points to 9 before a crowd of 25,000. St George was hooking against John Lowe and was completely outplayed in that department.{{cite news

| title = New Zealand vs England 1932 Series

| publisher = Rugby League Project

| url =https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/new-zealand-vs-england-1932/game-1/new-zealand-vs-england/summary.html

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} The Auckland Star said “a great deal of responsibility fell on St George, the New Zealand rake. On the day he was outclassed” though they also noted that as well as hooking, New Zealand also fell short at full back, both wingers, and lock.{{cite news

| title = Win For England

| page = 11

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 180

| date = 1932-08-01

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19320801.2.166

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} In the Auckland Star commenting on the match later on “Bunty” said “the worst feature of St George’s failure to rake the ball, was his persistence in putting his leg out across the tunnel. The visiting half [Bryn Evans] shrewdly threw the ball against that offending leg so that it quickly rebounded in favour of the Englishmen, who were given the benefit of the advantage rule. This prevented the holding up of play for penalties against St George. When the latter happened to hook the ball, Masters, except on two or three occasions in the first half, seemed to be all at sea”.{{cite news

| title = The First Test/Reflections and Deductions

| page = 6

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 185

| date = 1932-08-06

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19320806.2.27

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}}

When the Auckland team was selected to play the England side, Gordon Campbell was preferred at hooker. It was also speculated, prior to the second test side being named that “it is possible that Stephenson may be the hooker instead of St George”. While the same article went on to say that “St George cannot be solely blamed for being beaten by Lowe, who was in front of a powerful vanguard” which collectively weighed over 5 stone more than the New Zealand forwards.{{cite news

| title = England And Auckland

| page = 16

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21251

| date = 1932-08-03

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19320803.2.157.4

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} St George was eventually named as Auckland's single forward reserve for the match against the tourists on August 5.{{cite news

| title = Match At Carlaw Park

| page = 9

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21253

| date = 1932-08-05

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19320805.2.47.1

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} England won the match 19–14 with the Herald stating that “Campbell was far more successful in getting the ball from the scrums that St George in the test match. England gained possession on 34 occasions and Auckland 29 times”.{{cite news

| title = Higher Standard

| page = 11

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21255

| date = 1932-08-08

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19320808.2.114

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} Unsurprisingly Campbell was chosen at hooker for the second test.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}}

St George then returned to his Newton club side in a 10–6 loss. He scored one of their two tries and he and Johnson “battled about even as hookers”.{{cite news

| title = Narrow Win For Marists

| page = 13

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 192

| date = 1932-08-15

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19320815.2.159

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} His try came after he showed “clever anticipation” and had Norm Campbell bustled, and from desperate rucking on the line St George dived over”.{{cite news

| title = A Mediocre Exhibition

| page = 12

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21261

| date = 1932-08-15

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19320815.2.130.4

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} In his final game of the season he was sent off in a 36-10 Roope Rooster round 1 loss to Ponsonby. For Ponsonby Heck Lunn, and Stevens were sent off along with St George. Lunn had been sent off for punching, while a short time later St George and Stevens, who were the opposing hookers “staged an impromptu wrestling bout, and were sent off by the referee”.{{cite news

| title = Players Exchange Blows

| page = 12

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21273

| date = 1932-08-29

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19320829.2.138.5

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} Earlier in the match St George had intercepted a pass and make a “swerving run” before he passed to Emanuel who scored”. Following the match the two Ponsonby players appeared before the board to explain their conduct. They said “the game was hard and hotly contested in the rucks and regretted what had occurred”. The referee's report was considered and they decided to administer a “severe caution” while “St George was suspended until he appears before the league”.{{cite news

| title = Senior Players Cautioned

| page = 12

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 205

| date = 1932-08-30

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19320830.2.142

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}}

At the beginning of the 1933 season his suspension was lifted by the Auckland Rugby League after it had been “dealt with at the end of last season”.{{cite news

| title = Board Of Control

| page = 15

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 97

| date = 1932-04-27

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19330427.2.147

| accessdate = 2023-04-27}} He played in their first round match against Richmond which they won 25–11 on April 29. Then a week later they won again, 16–12 over City with the Auckland Star writing that “St George again proved his ability as a hooker”.{{cite news

| title = Newton Outpoint City

| page = 13

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 106

| date = 1933-05-08

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19330508.2.132

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}} They then won their third consecutive game to start the season, 11–8 against Devonport with St George “outstanding in the vanguard” along with Nathan and Hall.{{cite news

| title = Newton's Defeat Of Shore

| page = 13

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 112

| date = 1933-05-15

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19330515.2.141

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}} Newton then lost their next three matches to Marist, Ponsonby, and Richmond. In the May 27 match against Ponsonby there was friction between St George and Stevens, the player he had been sent off for fighting with previously, and both forward packs in general. Early in the match referee Percy Rogers made a highly unusual decision to replace both hookers with Fagan taking over from Stevens and S. Quirke replacing St George. However even that did not solve the issue between them and a while later Nathan from the Newton side was sent off.{{cite news

| title = Newton's Second Defeat

| page = 15

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 124

| date = 1933-05-29

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19330529.2.156

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}}

St George was listed to play in one more match, against City on June 17 and was then not mentioned again in either team listings or match reports. He moved to Australia later in the year and there is no record of him playing the sport in Australia.

Ed St George had several issues with the law during his life until his death. In 1927, aged 17 he was fined £3 for failing to attend drill in connection with military service.{{cite news

| title = Failure To Drill

| page = 12

| publisher = New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19588

| date = 1927-04-17

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19270317.2.144

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}} Earlier in the year he was found to have defaulted on a fine and costs.{{cite news

| title = Onehunga Court

| page = 337

| publisher = New Zealand Police Gazette

| url =https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/891827:61563

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}} Then on February 9, 1931, he “was fined £10 for unlawfully converting to his own use a motor cycle valued at £40 belonging to E. A. Aldred” at the Onehunga Court.{{cite news

| title = Onehunga Court

| page = 19

| publisher = Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 34

| date = 1933-02-10

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19310210.2.170

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}} The Police Gazette in their records stated that he was a labourer, and was 5 foot 9 with a pale complexion, black hair, brown eyes, and had a broken nose.{{cite news

| title = New Zealand, Police Gazettes, 1878-1945

| page = 122

| publisher = New Zealand Government

| date = 1931-02-09

| url =https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/963708:61563

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}}

He departed for Sydney, Australia on board the Wanganella Ship on August 3 from Wellington, arriving in Sydney on August 7.{{cite news

| title = Wanganella's Passengers

| page = 13

| publisher = Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 29

| date = 1933-08-03

| url =https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19330803.2.153

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}} In 1935 there was a brief report in the New Zealand Police Gazette that St George had breached the Unemployment Act however a later note mentioned that there was to be no further action taken after he had been interviewed in early 1948. The report mentioned that he was an engineer's fitter “strong build, light brown hair inclined to be curly, with blue eyes”.{{cite news

| title = breaches of Unemployment Act

| page = 620

| publisher = New Zealand Government

| date = 1935-10-23

| url =https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/785490:61563

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}} In the same year a notice appeared in several Australian papers seeking his whereabouts. It stated "Estate: William H. Neville, Allen Alfred St George, previously of New Zealand and Sydney; will he or anyone knowing his present whereabouts please communicate with the Public Curator, Brisbane".{{cite news

| title = Division Of Kennedy

| page = 1

| publisher = The Courier Mail (Brisbane)

| date = 1935-11-12

| url =http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article35930021

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}} In 1936 his name appeared in the Australian Electoral Rolls. He was living in the suburb of Woree in Cairns, Queensland working as a cane cutter.{{cite news

| title = Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980

| page = 125

| publisher =Australian Government

| date = 1936-01-01

| url =https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/2057965:1207

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}} Then in the 1937 Supplemental Electoral Roll he was listed as living at Kidston, Eainasleigh in Queensland, and working as a gold miner.{{cite news

| title = Division Of Kennedy

| page = 2

| publisher = Australian Government

| date = 1937-02-04

| url =https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/27789079:1207

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}}

St George voluntarily enlisted in the World War 2 effort on 18 June 1940.{{cite news

| title = Allen St George

| publisher = Virtual War Memorial Australia

| url =https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/536130

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}} He was living at Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory at the time. His service number was DX578, and he served in the army as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force.{{cite news

| title = Allen St George

| publisher = National Archives of Australia; Canberra, Australia; Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947; Series: B883

| url =https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/search/?name=allen+alfred_st+george&event=_new+zealand_5166&birth=1910&successSource=Search&queryId=a12dd1b7c5b6cb696504e26689d31609

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}}

In 1945, St George married Daphne Sylvester Crawford in Sydney, New South Wales. She was aged 29, with St George aged 35.{{cite news

| title = Allen Alfred St George

| publisher = Nsw Pioneer Index - Between the Wars Series 1919 - 1945

| date = 1945-01-01

| url =https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/3880495:1780

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}} She was a New Zealander by birth, having been born on 13 July 1915, but was also living in Australia.

In 1949, Ed St George was living in Darlinghurst, New South Wales, at 24 Craigend Street, working as an engineer.{{cite news

| title = Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980

| page = 174

| publisher = Australian Government

| date = 1949-01-01

| url =https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/24047621:1207

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}} At some point in the late 1940s St George and his wife Daphne separated. She then lived in a house in Northern Sydney owned by her parents, while they lived next door. On Thursday, 30 June 1949, Ed St George went to her parents' house and then her house before murdering Daphne, and then moments later shooting himself dead. The Sun (Sydney) reported that their bodies were found in “a room of a house in Railway Parade, Beecroft. A sawn-off .22-calibre rifle was near the man’s body. Charles Silvester Crawford, father of the dead woman said his daughter had been estranged from her husband a New Zealander. St George had assaulted him and Mrs. Crawford, and had threatened to blow their brains out, Crawford said. Crawford described how St George had dragged Mrs. St George into the bedroom and called out: “Come and see me shoot your daughter”. Mrs. Crawford said that her daughter had called out: “Don’t come in, Mum. He has a gun”.{{cite news

| title = Murder, suicide in cottage

| page = 10

| publisher = The Sun (Sydney)

| date = 1949-08-10

| url =http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231058144

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}} It was reported that fourteen months prior to the murder-suicide St George had come “home, knocked down his father-in-law, who is about 65 years old, and injured Mrs. Crawford’s hand by jamming it in a door”. Then on the night of the murder the parents chased “their son-in-law in an attempt to save their daughter’s life”. Daphne was killed instantly after being shot, while St George died a few minutes after shooting himself.{{cite news

| title = Invitation to Murder and Suicide

| page = 3

| publisher = The Age

| date = 1949-07-01

| url =http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189460716

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}} The former couple were childless.{{cite news

| title = Murder And Suicide

| page = 1

| publisher = National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW)

| date = 1949-07-01

| url =http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161644060

| accessdate = 2023-04-28}}

Ed St George was buried at Rookwood General Cemetery in New South Wales on 5 July 1949.

{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:St George, Ed}}

Category:1910 births

Category:1949 deaths

Category:1949 suicides

Category:20th-century New Zealand sportsmen

Category:Auckland rugby league team players

Category:Deaths by firearm in New South Wales

Category:Murder–suicides in Australia

Category:New Zealand national rugby league team players

Category:New Zealand rugby league players

Category:Newton Rangers players

Category:Rugby league hookers

Category:Suicides in New South Wales