William Wavell Wakefield was born in Beckenham on 10 March 1898 and educated at Craig Preparatory School, Sedbergh School and Cambridge University. He won Blues in the Varsity Matches of 1921 and as captain in 1922 and played at flanker for the RAF, Leicester, Harlequins and Middlesex. He made his England debut in the first official international after World War One and went on to set a new national record of 31 caps, including 13 as captain, and scored six tries. He also played for England & Wales against Scotland & Ireland in the Centenary Match at Rugby School in November 1923. A distinguished career in rugby administration followed. He was president of the RFU in 1950/51 and a member of the International Rugby Board from 1954 to 1961. He was twice elected as a Conserbvative MP, for Swindon in 1935 and for Marylebone from 1945 to 1963. He became Baron Wakefield of Kendal in 1963. Wavell Wakefield died on 12 August 1983, aged 85.