Jack Harrison is one of Hull and Rugby League’s honoured sons. Born on Southcoates Lane, Hull into a humble and hard-working family; he was the only son of Charlotte and John, a plater and boiler-maker in the Earles Shipyard – they built two yachts for the Tsar. Jack studied at Craven Street School (now Malet Lambert) and went to York St John to become a teacher.
Jack taught at Lime Street School and joined Hull FC to become their record try scorer with 52 tries in the season leading up to the outbreak of war. Jack scored in the Challenge Cup Final – Hull FCs first win – in a team including Bill Batten, the world record signing. Batten earned £14 per match where the best of the rest earned £4. He was the super star and Jack was the Gentleman who volunteered to join the Hull Pals.
On the 3rd May 1914 Jack led his platoon on a mission to take Oppy Wood – the subject of a celebrated painting by John Nash. The Germans had dropped back from a calamitous defeat at Vimy Ridge on the Arras Front. Oppy Wood was blown to smithereens with tree stumps like scars against the sky. Jack Harrison attacked a machine gun position taking out the gunner but losing his life in the process. His body was never recovered. The battle lasted four days. One survivor, Captain Trail, remarked that he seemed to have lived a thousand years in four days.
Today is Jack Harrison’s birthday. League 13 have inducted him into the Rugby League Hall of Honour – one of three League Players who won the VC in the First World War. THT were honoured to be asked to participate. Rob Bell read Jack Harrison and Game on from Sharp Street and the recently written poem Hull Pals.
Future plans were discussed to commemorate Jack Harrison at Oppy Wood in 2017. The History Troupe will be working with The Yorkshire Regiment and others to make this happen. And, we are exploring an adaptation of Sharp Street, the performance, across Yorkshire.
Watch this space. Thoughts ...
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