William Samuel Bussell (19 February 1887 – 7 June 1917) was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand. Bussell was killed in action during World War I.

Personal life

Bussell was the son of William and Hester Bussell and lived in St Albans, Christchurch.

Playing career

In 1912 Bussell was part of the first ever Canterbury side. Canterbury went down 4-5 to Wellington on 7 September.Coffey, John. ''Canterbury XIII'', Christchurch, 1987. In 1914 he played for Sydenham in the Canterbury Rugby League competition and also captained Canterbury before being selected to represent New Zealand against the Great Britain Lions. New Zealand lost the Test match 13-16. He was selected for the 1915 New Zealand tour of Australia that was later abandoned.

World War I

With the outbreak of World War I, Bussell enlisted. In 1917 Private Bussell was killed in action during the

Battle of Messines Battle of Messines may refer to: *Battle of Messines (1914) *Battle of Messines (1917) The Battle of Messines (7–14 June 1917) was an attack by the British Second Army (General Sir Herbert Plumer), on the Western Front, near the village of ...

.New Zealand and World War One Roll of Honour 1917 January - June
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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bussell, Bill New Zealand rugby league players New Zealand national rugby league team players Canterbury rugby league team players Sydenham Swans players Rugby league halfbacks 1917 deaths New Zealand military personnel killed in World War I New Zealand Army personnel 1887 births Rugby league players from Christchurch