Wellington Rugby Union Cap. Black velvet cap with gold braid and gold bullion wire Wellington Rugby monogram. Bears dates 1905, 1911 and 1912 and NZ 1913 to separate panels.

Awarded to Charles Theodore Gillespie MC (1883-1964) Gillespie was 0rientials Rugby Club second All Black. He debuted for Wellington in 1905 but not again until 1911 and then the next two seasons. He played 24 games for the province in total. He also played for Wanganui in 1907 and 1908. On 13 September 1913 Gillespie received his sole international cap when he was called up to the All Blacks as a popular replacement to play the touring Australians in Dunedin. This was also a second-string All Blacks team, with the leading selected players having departed by for their tour to North America. Gillespie played at lock in the 25-13 win.

He served at Gallipoli in 1915 as a farrier-sergeant. He rose to the rank of lieutenant and was gassed and wounded at Passchendaele in 1917 and he was awarded the Military Cross. He is one of just seven All Blacks to receive a Military Cross. Gillespie was made a Life Member of Oriental in 1931 and coined the phrase Once and Orie, always an Orie. Cap in excellent condition.

Carries maker's label inside 'Wallace & Gibson/ The Kash/ Next Evening Post/ Willis Street/ Wellington"