St George Dragons centre Reginald Fusedale played an important role for the Club and, more importantly, for his country.
The centre played two seasons with the Club between 1921-1922 and featured in the very first fixture against Glebe on April 23, 1921.
However, prior to lacing his playing boots, he proudly served his country as 758 Driver Reginald Fusedale, 4th Battalion during World War 1.
Fusedale enlisted at Victoria Barracks in Sydney in August 1914, and embarked for the fighting in Europe with the first AIF troopship convoy as an original member of the 4th Battalion.
Once at sea, Ottoman Turkey joined the war on the side of Central Powers and the troopships were diverted to Egypt where Fusedale ultimately spent several months training in Mena Camp outside Cairo.
Having landed on Gallipoli in the second wave attack on the morning of April 25, 1915, Fusedale spent several weeks fighting on the peninsula before returning to Egypt in May where he was promoted to driver and posted to the 1st Brigade Transport Detail at Maadi Camp – a logistical hub for stores and supplies for the fighting in the Dardanelles.
Fusedale rejoined the battalion after the evacuation of Gallipoli and embarked for France in March 1916.
Fusedale participated in the fighting at Pozières and Mouquet Farm throughout July and August attached to the 4th Battalion Transport Section, ensuring the troops in the field were constantly supplied with mail, ammunition, food and stores.
Having endured the bitterly cold Somme winter near Flers, Fusedale was evacuated to England suffering an enflamed testicle.
He was evacuated to England where he spent several months recovering at Perham Downs, but never returned to France.
He was eventually classed unfit for military service, returned to Australia in May 1918 and discharged soon after.
Fusedale joined the South Sydney Rabbitohs before later joining the Dragons where he spent two seasons before hanging up his boots.
Fusedale became the St George Dragons inaugural Club Secretary, serving in that capacity from 1922-1938 where he was highly regarded by his peers.
He was awarded Life Membership of the St George Dragons in 1938 and likewise Life Membership of the NSWRFL in 1942.
Fusedale passed away in his hundredth year on August 8, 1990.
