On Friday 28th April, Rev’d Tony Cotson (Hull FC Chaplain) led the Jack Harrison Memorial service at the KCom Stadium. Four wreaths were laid, one from the club, one from Jack’s family, the armed forces and the fans, a minutes silence was impeccably observed outside the stadium. Then followed a minutes applause just before the Super League game with Warrington Wolves. During the applause, the fans spontaneously began singing the clubs anthem, “Old Faithful” at that moment there was a real sense of connection with the past. A very moving tribute.
Jack Harrison was a Challenge Cup winner with Hull in 1913, scored a remarkable 106 tries in 116 matches, and still holds the club record for the most tries in a season with 52.
He was killed in action during World War One in May 1917 at Oppy Wood in France, his final action to silence a machine gun post as he led his troops into No Man’s Land posthumously earning him the Victoria Cross.
He was the first sportsman to receive that honour having already earned the Military Cross several months earlier.
Tony also had the privilege to lay the Hull FC wreath during the unveiling of the Jack Harrison paving stone at the Sutton War Memorial in Hull.
