1943-1944 ANECDOTES

1943-1944 ANECDOTES

MEND AND PATCH

The Club had met on July 26^th with a view to commencing fixtures, on the same pattern as the previous season, staring from early in September. “Last season Rugger paid its way, and it is gratifying to know that the players paid their own expenses to the extent of £28 11s 3d.”

“Difficulty in getting football gear is increasing. Footballs can only be obtained on ‘permits.’ Jerseys are well nigh impossible to secure. So ladies interested in the club are to ‘pep up’ the present ones. By taking good arms out of bad backs and putting them into new bodies they hope, out of 25 jerseys, to re-condition 15.

“All castaways were put in the hands of a “delightful Old Lady of the City, who is clever with her scissors and her needle, and out of the confusing pile she produced two sets – one coloured and the other white.”

Rugby supporters will be glad to know that the club is to go on next season.”

“Now the Rugby players provide their own knickers and stockings (note the many colours, like a certain biblical coat!”

MANCOM 9/8/43

Gerrard Memorial Fund at £500. In response to distribution of a letter, a number of donations had been received from the fighting line and also many gifts from parents whose sons were in North Africa, as well as a substantial sum from Bath area residents.

Club to continue for 1943/44 with same Committee.

BUSINESS AS USUAL

10^th September 1943 Skipper John Wass, residing at 15 Forester Road, invited players to the Recreation Ground, offering the opportunity for a little preliminary loosening up. There would be a Trial the following Saturday. The ‘old brigade’ was expected to include Weiss, Rogers, Robinson, Higgs and Leahy, and newcomers were Corporal Todd, an R.A.F. forward and McEwen, a wing three-quarter. Haskins, the Bristol forward was reported as anxious to help. Bert Anderson of 32 Junction Road, was the Honorary Match Secretary, and 17 games were already confirmed. Season Tickets were at £1 each. Remittances should be sent to Mr. F C Wills of Long Drive, Combe Down, Bath. It was anticipated that John Wass would be away on essential business in the coming months and during his absence, Austin Higgins (West of Scotland, London University Vandals and Rosslyn Park) took over.

MANCOM 11/9/43

Harry Davies was unable to continue as Hon. Sec., Chaddock agreed to stand in until return of J Wass.

MANCOM 11/10/43

Chronicle was asked to put in an article to point out that a season ticket was for admittance of one person. There appeared to be an impression that the £1 covered several members of a family.

Announcement that the Pitman family had lost another son. Capt. John Pitman had lost his life in an accident whist on active service. Capt. Peter Pitman-Butler had been killed in action two years previously and their daughter, Honor had lost her life while acting as a ferry pilot on the previous April. They were grandchildren of Sir Isaac Pitman. There were two other brothers, Mr Chris Pitman and Mr. I J Pitman, the former Bath captain and international rugby player.

FRED FLAGG

4^th December 1944 brought the announcement of the death of former player Frederick T Flagg, 24 Maybrick Road, Oldfield Park at age 82. He was educated at Bluecoat School. A life long supporter of the Bath Club, he was also a founder member of the former Widcombe Institute R.F.C., and played at full-back. He started as a compositor with the Bath Herald and following amalgamation with the Bath Chronicle, completed 50 years faithful service, reporting under the nom de plume ‘Prospect Style.”

MANCOM 6/12/43

Bath City offered collection for Gerrard Memorial Fund on Boxing Day.

11/12/43 v Bristol –(In aid of Gerrard Memorial Fund). Home. Won 17-11 Team:- D Rees, H K Mills, Major M Daly, P/O A Beasley, Flt. Lt. D D Evans, Lt. R G Raper R.N., W R Stewart, A Barrow, C P Hosking, N Owen, R Hammond, J Haskins, A Todd, A Higgins (Capt.)

“After the Gerrard match, teams were entertained at ‘Red House’ by Mayor Cllr. Joseph Plowman who had played on the Rec. before for Bath College.    [circa 1893]

He received first visit of Springboks 1911-12 – his father – then Mayor – and he had entertained the 15 to dinner on night before match. He received an autographed photo, which was later presented to the Club.”                          [Springboks played a West of England side]

Match Tickets cost 1/6d., with Souvenir programmes issued at 6d. each. The aim of the Memorial Fund was to establish a perpetual scholarship in memory of :“a brave soldier and a grand sportsman.”

Bath won this exciting and close fought encounter by 2 goals, a try and a drop goal to Bristol’s one goal, a try and a penalty.

In his final game: “Major Maurice Daly (Ireland) scored two tries for Bath and Austin Higgins (the captain) the other. Flight-Lieut. Danny Evans (Wales) dropped a natty goal while David Rees kicked a couple of conversions to bring his tally of points for the season up to 60.

Wheatley, on their right wing, scored both the Bristol tries and converted one of them. Thompson kicked the penalty goal.”

In his post-match speech, Captain Amor paid tribute to the players, some of whom had travelled long distances for the match. He also thanked Bath City F.C. for their help with the Memorial Fund: “…and if ever the Bath Club could, after the war, reciprocate their kindness they would do so readily.”

MANCOM 13/12/43

Gate money, amounting to £60 was allotted to the Memorial Fund.

MANCOM 27/3/44

Discussion on ‘Post War Rugger’. Decided to write to Director of Education to find out which schools would co-operate with their plans for Post War rugby for boys.

The loss of two stands by enemy action and the detrimental effect it had on the Club’s finances was stressed by the Treasurer. It was decided to write to the Bath & County Recreation Ground Co. to ask them to press a claim for the stands at the earliest possible moment. Restoration of at least one stand was considered to be an indispensable preliminary to any return to a first-class fixture card. Notwithstanding the fact that there had been only one away game that season, the Club was struggling financially, and no more than about £3 profit was being made on staging home matches. There was an appeal to members to return their £1 shares.

Jerseys not yet repaired.

HALT AND BE RECOGNISED!

Life Member and long serving scrum half, the late Norman (Curly) Halse (Corporal) could tell a tale!

It was during the Allied invasion of France. Seeing service in the 43^rd Division Royal Engineers, his unit was established along a ridge on Mount Peacon, the highest area in

ed out to be none other than former centre Lance Wardle, a third member of the pre-war Bath team wandering about, where he shouldn’t be, in the forward lines. Curly’s remembrance was:………………. “as usual – out of position!”

Asked how he recognised him, Curly insisted ……..”from the number 12 on his back!”

Saturday 29^th April 1944

Rugby League versus Rugby Union at Odsal Stadium, Bradford.

14,000 spectators saw the League side beat their Union counterparts by 15 points to 10.