THE FIRST-HAND memories of Scotland's Triple Crown-winning squad of 1938 are close to slipping away with the death this week of one of the last survivors, Dr John "Jake" Borthwick, aged 96.
Scotland sealed a historic home nations clean sweep a year before the Second World War broke out, scoring ten tries in the three victories – France were not involved from 1931-47 due to rumours of professionalism, of which the home unions took a very
dim view.
Dr Borthwick, a prop who played for Daniel Stewart's FP, was one of eight players to make his international debut in the first match of 1938, against Wales, a game the Scots won 8-6 thanks to a last-gasp penalty kick by Wilfred Crawford. He kept his place to play in the more comprehensive 23-14 win over Ireland, also at Murrayfield.
Thoughts turned to the Triple Crown, with England to be faced at Twickenham. Again, Borthwick held his place in the side – but was cruelly robbed of his place in one of the most famous matches in Scottish rugby history in the oddest of circumstances.
An interview a few years ago with the 1938 pack leader, Laurie Duff of Glasgow Academical, also now deceased, revealed that Borthwick was expected to play at Twickenham almost right up to the kick-off. Duff stated: "At lunch on the day of the game it was discovered that Jake had damaged a shoulder. He felt the pain when lifting his soup spoon.
"It was quickly decided that Francis Blackadder of West of Scotland would be his replacement. There was only one problem – he had eaten an awfully big meal."
Blackadder went into the front row, however, and played his part in the famous 21-16 victory for Scotland – two tries by captain Wilson Shaw sparked the sobriquet "Shaw's Match" – played out in front of 70,000 supporters and the King and Queen, and the first international to be broadcast live on television.
To put the result in perspective, Scotland have only won twice at Twickenham since then, in 1971 and 1983, and only won two more Triple Crowns, in 1984 and 1990.
There still remains one known survivor of that 1938 success, Allan Roy, the second row forward from Southport. He also made his debut against Wales and, now 97, he was contacted by The Scotsman yesterday at this home in Ainsdale. Roy is the grandfather of former Scotland under-21 cap Fergie Gladstone. Dr Borthwick was born in Edinburgh and brought up in Comely Bank. His father worked for AK Stewart, the chemist in Drumsheugh, and Jake attended Stewart's College and Edinburgh University.
He had suffered an eye injury through rugby and lost the sight of one eye, the reason why he was not called up for the war, but after the war he spent two years in Nigeria with the Royal Army Medical Corps. His work, during an outbreak of polio, brought him widespread praise and an MBE.
The intervention of war brought his Scotland rugby career to an end, with his second cap in 1938 turning out to be his last.
An only child, who did not marry, Dr Borthwick moved to the Borders with his mother on return from Nigeria, and became a medical consultant at the old Peel Hospital. He remained there until he retired in 1976.
A supporter of Stewart's- Melville until his dying day, he would watch their games in the Borders and when they were not in the area he would often travel with a group of friends to various Borders grounds to take in a game.
Dr Borthwick lived opposite the Old Parish and St Paul's Church in Galashiels and was an elder of the church. The church's minister, Reverend Leslie Steele, said: "Jake was a gentleman. He was known for his rugby, but he was a very keen sportsman – a keen golfer and curler – and he liked to watch football.
"He was a very loyal supporter of the church for many years and, in 2000. He was widely respected both in the medical world and further afield, and he will be sadly missed."
The SRU yesterday extended its sincere sympathies to all who knew Dr Borthwick and Mike Sims, president of Stewart's- Melville, added: "The club was deeply saddened to learn of his death and
will pay their respects when we play against Jed-Forest in a fortnight to mark his passing and his contribution to our club and Scottish rugby."
The funeral is to be held on Tuesday in the Old Parish and St Paul's Church, Scott Street, Galashiels, at 1pm on Tuesday, with a cremation at Mortonhall in Edinburgh at 3pm.
