James Burrows

Who was James Burrows?

James Thomas Burrows was a New Zealand teacher, sportsman, administrator, and military leader. He was born in Prebbleton, Northern Canterbury, New Zealand on 13 July 1904. Following his education at Christchurch Boys' High School, he became a teacher.

As a rugby player, Burrows represented Canterbury in 1923 and from 1925 to 1930. In 1928 he was selected for the first All Black team to tour South Africa. He was sole selector and coach of the Canterbury team from 1932 to 1933, and manager–coach for the All Blacks in their 1937 test series against South Africa.

He also played nine first-class matches for the Canterbury cricket team in the Plunket Shield.

A Territorial Force officer, Burrows volunteered for overseas service during the Second World War. Serving in Greece, Crete, North Africa and Italy, he rose to the rank of brigadier.

Leaving the army in 1944, he became rector of Waitaki Boys' High School. He resigned this position in 1949 and rejoined the Army, serving as commander of the New Zealand force in Korea in 1953.