Full Name: BILL COSGROVE
Date of Birth: November 11 1918
Height: 188 cm ( 6-2 )
Weight: 83 kg ( 13-1 )
Guernsey: 21
Debut: 27/04/1940, Round 1, Footscray
Last Game: 25/05/1940, Round 5, Fitzroy
RICHMOND SENIORS
Seasons: 1940
Total Games: 3
Total Goals: 0
Honours:
RICHMOND RESERVES
Seasons: 1939-40, 1942
Total Games: 34
Total Goals: 0
Honours:
BIOGRAPHY
William was a centre-half-back. He was a talented, courageous player who idolised his Captain/Coach Jack Dyer. In his senior debut against Footscray in Round 1 of 1940 he more than held his own against Footscray champion and future “Brownlow Medalist” Norman Ware. He spent three seasons with Richmond before he joined the R.A.A.F and flew both bombers and fighters during World War 2. He attained the Rank of Flight-Sergeant flying in excess of 50 missions over Libya, Burma, Irak, Sumatra, Java and New Guinea. He always ensured that he had the Tiger emblem and Jack Dyer’s name painted on the side of his cockpit for good luck. In 1942 he escaped from Java, with 12 other men, in a 28-foot boat to avoid capture by the Japanese. Amazingly, after 44 days and 1500 miles, they were picked up at Fraser Islet, near Carnarvon, Western Australia. He died on the 11th August 1943, when his Beaufighter bomber was shot down. As a tribute, Richmond Football Club now awards the “Bill Cosgrove/Harry Jenkins Memorial Trophy” to the Best First Year player each season.
PRE RICHMOND
Xavier College Junior Teams ; Richmond Districts 1939.
POST RICHMOND
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