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Before World War One, Bristol Rugby Club played its home games at the Gloucestershire County Cricket Club. But a combination of the war and the Fry family buying the site in 1914 meant that year would be the club鈥檚 last at Nevil Road. So the hunt was on to find new premises.

Step in a local construction manager by the name of Frank Cowlin. Cowlin was a wealthy man and the owner of Cowlin Construction, but he had an idea to give Bristol Rugby its own home. With the outbreak of war, rugby players from around the country decided en masse to do their duty and fight 鈥� so with a limited number of players the league was suspended. Cowlin now had time to make his vision a reality. Indeed, any matches that were arranged in Bristol during the war were undertaken by a combination eleven and played at the Horfield sporting fields.

The location for Cowlin鈥檚 dream was the old Buffalo Bill playing fields off Filton Avenue. In a meeting held on 13 October 1916, the Western Daily Press published that the trustees had discussed a number of options including 鈥渢he field at the end of Filton Avenue, Horfield.鈥� Some months later it reported again that Frank Cowlin: 鈥淥ur chairman at one of the last meetings announced in his very quiet, modest way that there was no more need for the committee to worry about the site. He had secured one 鈥� Buffalo Bill鈥檚 field.鈥�

During the war the ground was used for allotments, but after the armistice there were protests from the plot holders at the rent increases. Notice was then given to leave. Building began on the land after the war in 1921. The first match at the new ground was played on 24 September 1921, against their rivals from across the Severn, Cardiff. In honour of the fallen, a wreath was draped over the memorial gates.

But nearly 100 years on, the Memorial Stadium looks set to lose its monument to the rugby playing fraternity of Bristol. A supermarket, some houses and a memorial garden are planned as part of the redevelopment of the site 鈥� but will its original reason for being built be lost? Former Bristol Rugby captain and England international Mike Rafter investigates.
Location: Bristol Rovers FC, Filton Avenue, Bristol BS7 0BF
Image: Memorial gates at the ground
Presented by former Bristol Rugby captain and England international, Mike Rafter

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