Sir John Luscombe was a rugby union international who represented England in the first international match in 1871.
Background
John Luscombe was born on 25 May 1848 in Forest Hill, then in Kent (subsequently subsumed into south London), England. His father, John Henry Luscombe (1797 to 1883), was a shipowner who had married late in life at the age of fifty to Clara Bristow (1823 to 1910), twenty-six years his junior.
Career
He was the brother of another rugby international, Francis Luscombe, and was a highly successful insurance broker, becoming chairman of Lloyd"s of London and being knighted for his services to underwriting. The family were at the time living at "The Grove" Church Road, Upper Norwood, London. John, known as Harry in his family (his second name was Henry), had at least three siblings, a younger brother Francis (1849–1926), a younger brother, Alfred (1851–1942) and a younger sister Clara Elizabeth "Kitty" (1854–1900).
He was initially educated at Mrs Pritchard"s prep school near his home in Upper Norwood and from the age of seven was sent to Mr.
Cousin"s school on Anerly Road in Upper Norwood. These three men were keen on football and wanted to provide a football club in London with which Tonbridge"s former pupils could affiliate, much as the Marlborough Nomads served Marlborough College.
John had not attended Tonbridge, but played due to his family ties. His aptitude for the game was such that he was selected to play in the first international match, Scotland vs England in 1871.
However, his career was severely limited by time spent at sea.
As the eldest son in a family that owned considerable shipping interests he had certain expectations to pursue a career in that field He subsequently became a marine underwriter. He was living in Lewisham at the time and played rugby regularly for his brother"s side.
His profession as a marine underwriter meant he spent much time at sea.
By 1883 he had since moved to Bickley in what was Kent, and soon after to Worth, West Sussex. In 1902, after spending many years at sea in pursuit of his profession, he was knighted for his services to underwriting. and in the same year was the chair of Lloyds, the first working man to be southern
He was chairman a total of five times. In 1920 he was awarded the Gold Medal by Lloyd"s of London.
Membership
At the age of 22, having served on a number of vessels, he was elected a member of Lloyd"s of London and started as underwriter. In addition to his professional commitments, he was also a Justice of the Peace, a member of Sussex County Council and in 1916 joined the directors of Prudential.