Archie Prentice played junior rugby union in the Homebush area. After that he moved on to play First Grade rugby union with the Western Suburbs Club.
Archie had a distinguished rugby union career and was selected for a Metropolitan XV in 1911. He came across with his brother Clarrie to play rugby league with Wests in 1915. In 1915 and 1916 he played twenty seven First Grade games.
However disaster struck in January 1917. Archie was driving a motor lorry on Parramatta Rd Ashfield when it overturned. As a result, Archie’s right leg was pinned under the roof of the vehicle and almost severed between the ankle and the knee, necessitating amputation.
Archie displayed remarkable fortitude while being carried to the casualty room as he sang the chorus of “This is the end of a perfect day”, a popular song of the time! The accident brought his football career to an end.
He maintained his interest in the game and became a Wests Selector in 1919. He held that position for three seasons.
In 1928, Archie reported a number of jewellery items stolen or missing. These included a gold football medal inscribed “A W Prentice, City Cup Competition, 1919, 1920, 1921, Selector of Western Suburbs District Football League.” It is not known if this medal was ever returned to Archie.
Archie Prentice died at Liverpool, NSW in February 1971 and is buried at Enfield NSW.
