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Harry Wallace Hull FC, Durham, Yorkshire and England Half-Back
Henry Wallace affectionately referred to as Harry, was a great character and an excellent Rugby League player of the early 1900s.
As a young boy Harry started his rugby career in North Shields and played for a junior team and being coached at a very high level he spent two seasons with North Cumberland County team and later played for West Hartlepool. Harry developed his rugby skills and being a fine half back was regularly chosen to play for Durham County.
In 1906 the Hull FC directors always looking to find a good rugby players were notified about a very good half-back playing in Durham and went to see him play. Harry was attracted to the professional game and agreed to sign and play for Hull FC.
Harry Wallace and new signing from Gloucester James Harrison played their first game against Hunslet who Hull had beaten very comfortably last season but that was not to be the case in this match. Wallace started well and played a good game and at half time Hull were 19 point to Huntlets 3 point, however in the second half Harry Taylor Hulls full back was laid out flat after a tackle by a Hunslet player and to the disappointment of the Hull players and the fans the referee allowed play to continue Hunslet took advantage and with the Hull forwards tiring Hunslet ran in 20 points to take victory. Harry Wallace soon settled into the half back position becoming a favourite with the fans he played in the losing Hull side in three consecutive Challenge Cup Finals.1907_08 against Hunslet, 1908_09 against Wakefield and the 1909_10 against Leeds. Despite this setback Harry a very clever half back was chosen to play in the Yorkshire v New Zealand game at Wakefield on 18 Dec 1907 and had the honour of being selected to play for England against New Zealand in 1908, unfortunately Harry received a serious injury in that game which ultimately ended his International Rugby League career. He continued at club level and his Hull FC statistics played 164 games, 40 tries, 54 goals, and 228 points.
On retirement Harry reverted to his trade as a joiner and decided to stay in Hull and lived with his wife and children at 31 Airlie Street next to the Boulevard football ground. In 1914 Lord Kitchener was recruiting volunteers to Join the army and Harry was ready to do his bit for the war effort and attended the recruiting office to sign up to join the army, however to his amazement he was turned down being too small. Harry was 5 foot 1inch tall, its incredible he played rugby at the highest level and matched men who towered over him then told he didnt reach the height limit. However this didn't deter Harry because he applied again and was accepted into the Durham Light Infantry a regiment from this home town area. Very soon Harry was in France and wrote to a rugby friend of his saying I am training for the greatest game of my life where they do not take the dummy nor is there a Blindside to the scrum. Harry was killed in action on the battlefield of Arras 08 May 1917. His two brothers were also killed in action 2nd Lt David S Wallace at Mons 1914 and Jon Wallace at the Somme in 1916.
This is my tribute to the family of a Great Hull FC Hero.
