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The incident, however, did not affect the post-match activities. Indeed, the players became perhaps a little too exhuberant because the Police were summoned to the teams hotel the morning after. Players were interviewed, with the first being asked Whats your name? The reply was given Otto Hallamandres, the next Oscar van Statler, and so on.
The policeman did not know they were South Africans and warned them to stop larking around. Everyone was apologetic, but whilst the questioning was going on someone had taken the opportunity to fill the officers helmet up with liquid further elaboration is neither necessary nor recommended!
Peter played for Penzance when able and also gained his first Cornish cap in 1938. During the 1939-45 war, he served in the Royal Navy as a Surgeon-Lieutenant, returning afterwards to his practice in Morrab Road.
Just prior to his return, Rex Carr wrote to him in the Navy asking if he could persuade Guys to come and play the Pirates in our opening match. Peters charming and smooth-talking approach not surprisingly worked and he captained us in our first-ever game which was played against Guys Hospital on the 22nd. September, 1945.
He then had the honour of again playing for Cornwall, but he broke his leg in a match played against Devon at Plymouth. To complicate matters he caught tetanus, nearly died, and his rugby career was sadly ended.
Peter Gartrell was one of lifes gentleman characters who exuded a very real joie de vivre. He died at his home near St, Buryan in 1988, aged 80.
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