Bertie Loel

Recruited from the Mercantile Rowing Club, Bertie Loel was a multi-talented sportsman whose brief VFL career was just one chapter in a life defined by extraordinary service. The younger brother of Carlton’s Herb Loel, Bertie joined a powerhouse Fitzroy outfit in 1901, breaking into the senior side as a forward during the club's golden era. He managed 15 games over two seasons, though his footballing tenure was effectively cut short by international duty; he enlisted for the Second Boer War in early 1902, serving as a Veterinary-Lieutenant with the Australian Commonwealth Horse. Loel’s legacy extends far beyond his modest playing statistics, as he holds the rare distinction of serving in three separate major conflicts—the Boer War, World War I, and World War II—cementing his status as a dedicated serviceman whose athletic pursuits were ultimately secondary to his military commitment.