Obituary: Jack Dun

Jack was as much a feature of the Greenyards as the Eildon Hills.

Watching from one of the domestic game in Scotland’s great vantage points, the Melrose Press Box, Jack was never short of a wise observation, always delivered gently, never with any malice.

Last year, he was inducted into the Melrose club’s Sevens Hall of Fame.

At the age of eight, he first attended the Melrose Sevens in 1934, and of a possible 83 tournaments, it was truly remarkable that he missed only two – while he was serving with the British Army in India in 1947 and 1948.

Picture (courtesy of Melrose RFC): Jack with the Melrose Sevens trophies, holding the original Ladies Cup, with the current Melrose Sevens 1883 Centenary Cup also featured.

A former club captain, referee, past president and member of Scottish Rugby’s referee selection panel, Jack was inextricably associated with the Sevens, which Melrose gave to the world, having been the brainchild of butcher Ned Haig and first contested in 1883.

Jack served as Melrose club President at the centenary tournament in 1983 and Scottish Rugby readily called upon his expertise when Murrayfield hosted the inaugural Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1993.

Jack made some 176 appearances for the Melrose first XV and also played the abbreviated game.

This afternoon a Melrose club spokesperson said: “Jack was a character who lived and breathed rugby, and Melrose Rugby in particular throughout his long life.

“A past president, captain and life member of Melrose Rugby, the Melrose Sevens will not be the same without Jack sitting near the tunnel to check that all was in order.

“Despite moving into a care home in Melrose, he still regularly joined the coffee club on a Friday morning at the Greenyards to discuss all things rugby, and attended matches when he could with his family. We will miss him very much.”

Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to Jack Dun’s family and many friends.  When we have details of the funeral arrangements, we will publish them on our website.