Hull City Council, in partnership with a number of key stakeholders including local rugby league club Hull FC and the armed forces, will commemorate the life, career and bravery of one of the city’s greatest heroes, a century on from Harrison being posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross in 1917.
The former rugby star, Sutton resident and Lime Street School teacher was killed in action during World War One in May 1917 at Oppy Wood, France.
His final action to silence a machine gun post as he led his troops into No Man’s Land posthumously earned him the Victoria Cross, having already received the Military Cross several months earlier.
He was commissioned as Temporary 2nd Lieutenant and assigned to the 11th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (Hull Tradesmen) 6 Platoon.
Prior to active service, Harrison was a Challenge Cup winner with Hull Rugby League Club in 1913 as a free-flowing try scoring winger, who to this day still holds the club record for the most tries scored in a season with 52.
In total, he scored a remarkable 106 tries in 116 matches before his final game on Boxing Day 1916 and became the first sportsman to earn the Victoria Cross.
In tribute to Harrison, the city will now host and coordinate a series of events and activity to mark the 100 year commemoration, including the display and laying of a commemorative paving stone.
The paving stone, provided by the Department of Communities and Local Government, will be on display as part of a Jack Harrison exhibit at the Hull History Centre throughout April.
It will sit alongside replicas of his war medals, before being officially laid at Sutton War Memorial as part of a formal memorial service St James Church, Sutton, on Sunday 7 May.
Simultaneous commemoration services will also take place exactly 100 years since his death on 3rd May in Oppy Wood as well as at the Cenotaph in Hull at 11am, whilst pupils at his former school, now Malet Lambert School, will hold a two minutes’ silence.
A day earlier, The Freedom Flame and All For One Choir will perform a choral piece at sun rise reciting the names of all who fell at that time.
The Lord Mayor of Kingston upon Hull, Councillor Sean Chaytor unveiled the commemorative paver and said: “We want to commemorate one of Hull’s bravest respectfully, with dignity and pride, as well as showing our support for Veterans and those in the Armed Forces.”
Tracy Harsley of Hull City Council, said: “Jack Harrison is one of Hull’s most notable sons and it is only right we host a series of events to commemorate his life and the sacrifices both he and his fellow soldiers made.”
Hull FC will kick off the week’s events with the Jack Harrison Centenary fixture at their Super League home match against Warrington Wolves on 28 April, which will include not one but two special games.
Prior to the first-team taking the field, the stadium will host a special curtain raiser fixture as Hull FC Reserves take on the Great Britain Armed Forces rugby league team in the Jack Harrison Challenge.
The reserve team will wear a specially commissioned replica strip based on the shirt that would have been worn by Harrison 100 years ago, whilst the first-team will also carry a poppy on their playing jerseys.
Representatives of the armed forces will also be present at the game, as well as displays for fans. It is also hoped that the RAF can provide a flypast, subject to weather conditions and logistics.
Hull FC’s Executive Director, James Clark, said, “We are privileged to be able to play our part in the commemoration of Jack’s life and achievements, not only celebrating his immense bravery in battle but his notable career as a rugby league player.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for people in the city to learn about the story of Jack, his remarkable record-breaking efforts for Hull Rugby League Club and as hero of World War One, who paid the ultimate sacrifice in dedication to his country.
“We’re extremely grateful of the support of the armed forces, particularly the Great Britain Armed Forces Rugby League team, to be able to deliver a fitting tribute and the perfect start to a week of commemorative events.”
