L.K Hambly (Louis) 1943 – 2023
Louis’s playing career started with Falmouth Colts in the early 60’s, before progressing to play as a Prop forward for the senior teams in the early 1960’s.
Louis was a time served Marine Fitter and Turner working at Falmouth Docks in the Machine Shop with a number of others from Falmouth rugby and under the supervision of Falmouth RFC legend, Jimmy George (Falmouth, Cornwall and England).
During a downturn in work at the docks, many employees, that included a number of rugby and soccer players, went to work on the construction of the nuclear power station at Sizewell in Suffolk.
It was here that Louis and others played for the local Sizewell Rugby Club. One of the site engineers was a keen player at Leiston rugby club who were beaten by the Sizewell boys for the first time. The engineer persuaded the Falmouth boys to play for Leiston and Louis was later selected to play for the County of Suffolk.
On returning to Cornwall Louis resumed his playing career at Falmouth and represented Cornwall on a number of occasions. He made his debut in October 1963 in an 8 points to 6 win over British Police, in a side featuring fellow Falmouth Captains Raymond George & Graham Bate. Later that month Louis played against the RAF, alongside Richard Sharp, Bonzo Johns and Derek Prout, his final County appearance was versus the famous Welsh Touring side Captain Crawshay’s XV in September 1968.
Louis was a strong hard playing but fair player who’s style was to lead his pack by example, known as being very friendly off the field once he crossed the whitewash he played to win, he became Captain of the first XV in the 1967-68 season.
He continued to support Falmouth and was a regular spectator in recent seasons standing on the wooden terrace with many of his former team mates.
Our condolences go to Louis’s family.
