Craddock Dufty

Calvin Thomas Craddock Dufty (10 March 1900 – 1 August 1955) was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand.

War service
During World War I, Dufty served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, embarking in 1916 when aged 16.

Playing career
Dufty played in the Auckland Rugby League competition for Newton Rangers (1919-21, & 1927-29), Athletic/Grafton Athletic (1922-26), and Ellerslie United (1929-30). He transferred to Ellerslie after moving to the area during 1929 after playing several games for Newton during the season.

In 1919, aged 19, Dufty made his debut for Auckland, starring in the regions 37-13 defence of the Northern Union Cup against Hawke's Bay. His performance earned him selection for the New Zealand squad that played against the first tour of Australia.

In 1922, he toured Australia with the New Zealand Māori side. He played in five inter-island games for the North Island, his last being in 1930.

In 1922 and in 1924, he played for both Auckland and Auckland Province. In 1922, his appearances were against the touring New South Wales team, while in 1924 his appearances were against the touring Great Britain Lions. He was part of the disastrous 1926-27 New Zealand tour of Great Britain, which resulted in several forwards going on strike and receiving life bans. In 1928, he again played the touring Lions, representing both Auckland City and Auckland Province, as well as New Zealand. Dufty finished his career with a then-record 224 points for New Zealand, including 106 goals. He played in twelve test matches, scoring 41 points.



Personal life
Dufty was born to Samuel and Emily (nee Bennett). Dufty's siblings were: Louisa Esther (1901-26), Annie Elizabeth (1902-62), Jessie May (1909-37), and Gwendoline Pearl (1919-90), a brother Cecil Charles who died in infancy (1905), and brothers Thomas Joseph (1899-1949), Samuel Craddock (1911-79), and Arthur James (1911-89).

On 1 August 1955, Craddock Dufty died while at Auckland Public Hospital. His wife was Ethel May (nee Gerraty) whom he had married in 1921. She had died on 9 June 1953. Craddock Dufty was buried at Waikumete Cemetery. He was survived by three children: June, Moira Coral (1928-86), and Craddock.