Ken Smith
Born: June 2, 1929;
Died: February 26, 2026
Ken Smith, who has died aged 96, was one of Scotland’s oldest rugby internationalists and a well-known Borders farmer. An outstanding wing forward blessed with pace and determination, he won 18 caps between 1957 and ’61 playing out of Kelso. He also represented the British Lions on their 1959 tour of Australia, New Zealand and Canada playing in four Tests, two against Australia (both won) and two against New Zealand.
Having enjoyed the good fortune of winning his first cap against Ireland as a late replacement for the injured captain Jim Greenwood, he seized the opportunity, The Glasgow Herald report stating that “Smith confirmed in a fine fighting display that a place might probably have been found for him before”.
By happy coincidence for him, his selection for the Lions also arose due to a withdrawal through injury, to England’s Peter Robbins. That said, he soon demonstrated his worth as vouched by Bryn Thomas in his book Lions Courageous where he commented, “Smith came in for the injured Robbins and proved himself not only an excellent tourist but a flank forward of Test quality.”
Four appearances for the Barbarians in 1960 and ’61 topped off an outstanding playing career during which he overcame a broken neck to resume playing at the highest level.
In addition to Ken’s telling contribution on the field he made a very significant one to the sport’s administration. Throughout the 1980s he was a member of the International Rugby Board and chair in 1990/91 while domestically in addition to being president of Kelso Rugby Club during its centenary year in 1976/7 he also became president of the Scottish Rugby Union in 1994/5. He also managed Scotland’s 1981 tour of New Zealand.
George Kenneth Smith was born in Edinburgh to parents George and May nee Ferguson and was brought up in Fairmilehead. Father George had a butcher’s business. Ken attended George Watson’s College where he began playing rugby and after spells in the front and second rows settled for life in the back row, representing the 1st XV between 1946 and ’48 and winning his Colours. He was a gifted athlete winning the 220 and 880 yards at the annual sports and placed in other events, also earning Colours for athletics.
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By the time he left school he had determined to become a farmer, influenced to some extent by family Borders farming connections and he furthered this aim studying agriculture at Oklahoma University.
Farming life for Ken began as a shepherd at Kelsocleuch in the Cheviots before he and his father in partnership acquired Watherston, an upland farm at Galawater, and then Ormiston Mains near Kelso in 1957, a mixed arable farm that Ken continued working successfully for 60 years, retiring aged 87. He was highly regarded in farming circles serving a period as chair of Borders Grain Co-Operative.
After a brief period playing for Watsonians he committed to Kelso where consistently excellent play led to him becoming club captain in 1953/4. On 30th September 1953 he received his first representative honour, selected for the South of Scotland in the first match of the inaugural District Championship, against Edinburgh. Thereafter over many years he regularly appeared for the South, including matches against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. His international debut followed in February 1957 with his 18th and final cap coming in 1961 against England while in 1959 he played for a combined Scottish/Irish team against England/Wales in a Twickenham Jubilee match.
Ken’s first step on the administrative ladder was as South representative on the SRU general committee in 1978 where his skills set paved the way for high profile appointments. As SRU president, he oversaw the sport’s transition towards professionalism.
In August 1958 in Edinburgh he married Susan nee Clark whom he had first met when she was a student at the Royal Dick Veterinary College and together they enjoyed a happy marriage during which they had a son, Alistair. Susan died in 1978. Later Ken formed a relationship with Judy Smith widow of Arthur Smith the well-known rugby internationalist and the couple enjoyed a rewarding partnership for 30 years.
She was responsible for introducing him to golf which with trademark determination he succeeded in reaching a good standard to become a committed enthusiast. He was honoured to be appointed the first captain of the renowned Roxburghe Golf Club where Judy was ladies’ captain.
Ken continued to be active in retirement and was still exercising in his local gym till comparatively recently. He was awarded a C.B.E. in 1995. He is survived by his son.
JACK DAVIDSON
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