Wigan Album
Wigan Rugby Players
9 Comments
Photo: RON HUNT
Item #: 26883
Gert Wilhelm "Tank" van Rooyen, also known as George van Rooyen, was a South African RU international before signing for Wigan. Renowned for his immense strength and hardness - reputedly single handedly once lifted clear out of the ground, a reinforced crush barrier set in concrete foundations. Played on in a game and refused to leave the field despite suffering a gash on his cheek that he could push his tongue through.
Moved to Widnes and won a Cup winners medal against St Helens in the 1930 Final at Wembley - sadly succumbed to cancer and died relatively young aged 49 in 1942.
Reputation of being "Strong as an Ox" My father related him working on a Wigan building site and unloading 1 cwt bags of cement two at once; one under each arm.
It is thought that my grandfather, decorated WWII and Korean War veteran (SAAF), Gert Hendrik Wilhelm Meyer (1916-1987) was related to Van Rooyen. Any light shed on how they were related would be greatly appreciated: info@victormeyer.net
Ancestors.co.za has confirmed that Gert (aka George) Wilhelm "Tank" van Rooyen (1892-1942) was my consanguineous great-great-uncle (i.e. my paternal grandfather's mother's brother).
Gert (tank) Van Rooyen was my Grandad, although I never met him as he died when my dad was 16 years old .
To whom was Gert Wilhelm (Tank) van Rooyen married and how many children did they have? Sons/daughters?
Who were his parents and how many siblings (names)?
Gert Wilhelm aka George "Tank" van Rooyen (9 Dec 1892, Steynsburg, ZA – 21 Sep 1942, Runcorn, UK) was married to Johanna Adriana van Rooyen (née Joubert).
Children:
Maria van Rooyen, Cora van Rooyen, Nicholas van Rooyen – ask the direct descendants (Elizabeth or Martin Rylands) for more information.
Parents:
- Gert Wilhelm van Rooyen (Aug 1876, Cape Province – 6 Aug 1919, Belgravia JHB) – my great-great-grandfather.
- Maria Magdalena Elizabetha van Rooyen née Nell (~1871, Steynsburg – ?) – my great-great-grandmother.
Siblings:
- Elizabeth Cornelia Meyer née van Rooyen (Sep 1894, Cradock – 13 Oct 1918, Jeppestown JHB) – my great-grandmother.
- Maria Magdalena Elizabeth Pieterse née van Rooyen (1900 – 24 Aug 1952, Brixton JHB).
For more information, direct message me: info@victormeyer.net
Baie dankie Victor vir die inligting, word regtig waardeer. Ek poog om n boek saam te stel oor Springbok rugby spelers, van no 1 tot waar ek kan kom.