Thomas Horner

Thomas Horner (“Tom”), born in Belfast, was one of five children. His childhood was shaped by the Great Depression, with his father managing a linen export company and having to move to the nearby Gilnahirk countryside to reduce the family living costs. There he developed his passion for breeding Border Leicester sheep. He was a gifted mathematician and won a scholarship to Methodist College Belfast. Here he began his lifelong love of rugby, but his ability to fully participate was prevented by an enlarged heart, secondary to an, as yet undiagnosed, atrial septal defect. He was accepted at the age of 17 years to study medicine at Queen’s University Belfast, where he developed many strong and lasting friendships.He married Mabel Lord in 1954 and the first of their four children was born two years later. They moved to New Zealand in 1957 to establish a brave new life as was…
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