PRESS RELEASE

On February 18, 2009, a monument to Prince Alexander Obolensky was unveiled in the town centre of Ipswich. Prince Obolensky (1916-1940), from a noble Russian family, became famous in 1936 as a rugby player for England and is considered to be one of the greatest players ever. In 1940 Alexander Obolensky, who had become a RAF pilot, perished in an air accident near Ipswich and was buried in the local cemetery.

The campaign to create the monument in Ipswich was launched by the local council, with support of the Prince’s niece Alexandra, the sports community and Russian compatriots. The Embassy has offered informational support to the project.

Among those participating in the ceremony were representatives of the Embassy, Russian media and the Russian Rugby Union. A commemorative present from the Russian community of Newcastle was offered to the Ipswich council and the RRU delegation.