Couple’s book on rugby players who went to war

rugby league clubs Huddersfield Giants, Batley Bulldogs, Dewsbury Rams and Hunslet Hawks during his journalistic career.

“It took two years of painstaking research to get the job done, and I hope we’ve done the players justice.

“Because a dedicated Northern Union First World War Roll of Honour has never been done before, which is largely due to a lack of information being out there, one of our fears is that we could have missed someone out. We just hope that’s not the case.

“Having said that, the amount of support and help we have been given from the whole rugby league community to complete this project has been overwhelming. I think between us we’ve done everything we could to make sure everyone who should be included has been included.

“I’m just so pleased we’ve been able to get the book out now ahead of the Armistice centenary commemorations on Sunday, November 11.”

Added Jane: “It has been a real privilege to research the lives of these men.

“Above all, this is more than a rugby league book, a sporting history book or a World War One book, it is a story of the impact of war on individual men and their families across Great Britain. I, too, hope we have done them justice.”

The book has been produced by leading independent North of Englandbased publisher Scratching Sheds Publishing, who have provided full backing to the project from start to finish.

Scratching Shed’s Phil Caplan said: “What began as an idea in the press box at Huddersfield is now one of the definitive books about rugby league.

“Scratching Sheds Publishing is honoured to publish a tribute to the men who fell in World War One.”

The book can be bought directly from Jane and Chris (for £14.50), who could arrange to deliver a copy personally to those living in the Kirklees area.

The couple are also available for talks to discuss all aspects of the book to those groups who may be interested.

The authors can be contacted on e-mail at pasttopresentgenealogy@ btinternet.com.