Career
A loose forward, Gemmell represented Hawke"s Bay at a provincial level He played one match for the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, out of position at hooker against New South Wales at Dunedin. Affiliating to Ngāti Pāhauwera, Gemmell played 57 matches for New Zealand Māori between 1922 and 1929, making him the most capped player for that team
He served as a private with the New Zealand (Māori) Pioneer Battalion during World War I, and was selected by ballot to represent Māori returned soldiers as part of the New Zealand military contingent to the coronation of King George VI in 1937.
During World World War II he served in New Zealand with the Territorial Force.
