“I was with Ray until the end.”
Sam Haron isn’t the name of someone synomonous with anything remarkable to the general public. But for a brief period, he was an absolute blessing to one Rugby League player, his family and the Rugby League organisations in Australia and England.
Sam Haron isn’t the name of someone synomonous with anything remarkable to the general public. But for a brief period, he was an absolute blessing to one Rugby League player, his family and the Rugby League organisations in Australia and England.
In 1933, aged 52, he set off on an epic journey to
England from Sydney, joined on his venture by the entire Australian Rugby
League Kangaroo squad as they too embarked on their voyage to mother England to
attempt to wrest the Ashes back from the old dart.
On Tuesday July 4th the Kangaroos, among a
throng of other travellers, boarded the motorship Manunda, which would take
them to Melbourne where they would board the S.S. Jervis Bay and so begin the
long journey to England. As the Manunda was about to set sail, the Kangaroos
staged their war cry before waving to their families and fans.
Some of the game’s greatest players were on board; Dave Brown, Wally Prigg, Sandy Pearce, Vic Hey, Ray Stehr, Frank McMillan and Viv Thicknesse among a cavalcade of the games stars.
One of those players was a pioneer, the first player from the ailing University club to be represented for Australia, Ray Morris. Ray began his career in third grade at Western Suburbs before very quickly moving up through the ranks to first grade in 1927.
Morris was a very strong and talented centre who was also a capable five-eighth. He made his debut for Wests in 1927, quickly becoming a regular in first grade. Wests comfortably qualified for the finals in 1930; however Morris missed the first two games of the series before being selected on the wing in the Grand Final Challenge against St.George. He scored a try in what was a comfortable 27-2 win for Wests, securing their first ever Premiership.
Some of the game’s greatest players were on board; Dave Brown, Wally Prigg, Sandy Pearce, Vic Hey, Ray Stehr, Frank McMillan and Viv Thicknesse among a cavalcade of the games stars.
One of those players was a pioneer, the first player from the ailing University club to be represented for Australia, Ray Morris. Ray began his career in third grade at Western Suburbs before very quickly moving up through the ranks to first grade in 1927.
Morris was a very strong and talented centre who was also a capable five-eighth. He made his debut for Wests in 1927, quickly becoming a regular in first grade. Wests comfortably qualified for the finals in 1930; however Morris missed the first two games of the series before being selected on the wing in the Grand Final Challenge against St.George. He scored a try in what was a comfortable 27-2 win for Wests, securing their first ever Premiership.
In 1931 he was selected for City on the wing against
Country, scoring a try on debut. He was then selected for New South Wales to
play against Queensland. 1932 saw Morris shift to the centres where his game
began showing rapid improvement. He was again selected for City and New South
Wales. Wests went all the way to the Grand Final Challenge yet again, but were
unable to topple Souths.
At seasons end, Morris made the surprising announcement
that he was joining the University club for the 1933 season. Morris’ good form in
the Interstate clashes saw him selected in the Australian Kangaroos touring
squad. When he left Australia, his team University had managed to sneak into
third on the ladder.
The 25 year old, who was an exceptionally fine surf swimmer and clever amateur wrestler, became the ideal man to lead the physical training sessions on board the S.S. Jervis Bay as it steadily made way for England.
Just days after the departure from Western Australia, Morris began his training regimes on the ships which included aerobics, boxing and shovelling coal. He believed it was necessary to vary the exercise to maximise its effects and to prevent the players from being bored.
In one of the boxing sessions, Morris received a blow to the ear. He wasn’t affected initially and continued training. Later in the day he complained of a pain in his ear to the team doctor, who treated it accordingly.
Initially the treatment was ineffective, but eventually the pain dissipated. The ship stopped over at Colombo where some of the players spent a day relaxing, while others played an exhibition game on a local cricket ground against each other. Morris took the opportunity to go for a swim in a local swimming pool.
The ship set sail the following day, with Morris’ ear problems returning, this time more seriously. The doctors had him confined to the ship’s hospital quarters for ten days while his condition was constantly observed. Each day he grew weaker.
After just one month on the ship Ray Morris had gone from one of the fittest and strongest men to gravely ill. Doctor Gordon and Doctor Clough consulted and agreed to send a wireless message to Valetta in Malta, for an ear specialist to meet the ship upon its arrival so that Morris’ condition could be analysed by a specialist.
The next day, Morris was taken ashore to the Blue Sisters’ Hospital in Valetta, where he was immediately attended to by Doctor Vella. The news was not good from the specialist and he announced that Morris would require immediate surgery.
Harry Sunderland, the manager of the Kangaroo’s, had to decide whether to stay in Malta or to sail on and honour the tour program.
Sam Haron then stepped forward and volunteered to stay with Morris in Malta to comfort him while in hospital, so that the team could continue to England without delay.
Reluctantly, the ship set sail the next day without their beloved team mate, while Haron began a bedside vigil for Morris in his hour of need.
It was found that Morris had ruptured his eardrum during the boxing session and the injury became infected while bathing in Colombo. Dr Vella feared that Morris was suffering from meningitis.
The 25 year old, who was an exceptionally fine surf swimmer and clever amateur wrestler, became the ideal man to lead the physical training sessions on board the S.S. Jervis Bay as it steadily made way for England.
Just days after the departure from Western Australia, Morris began his training regimes on the ships which included aerobics, boxing and shovelling coal. He believed it was necessary to vary the exercise to maximise its effects and to prevent the players from being bored.
In one of the boxing sessions, Morris received a blow to the ear. He wasn’t affected initially and continued training. Later in the day he complained of a pain in his ear to the team doctor, who treated it accordingly.
Initially the treatment was ineffective, but eventually the pain dissipated. The ship stopped over at Colombo where some of the players spent a day relaxing, while others played an exhibition game on a local cricket ground against each other. Morris took the opportunity to go for a swim in a local swimming pool.
The ship set sail the following day, with Morris’ ear problems returning, this time more seriously. The doctors had him confined to the ship’s hospital quarters for ten days while his condition was constantly observed. Each day he grew weaker.
After just one month on the ship Ray Morris had gone from one of the fittest and strongest men to gravely ill. Doctor Gordon and Doctor Clough consulted and agreed to send a wireless message to Valetta in Malta, for an ear specialist to meet the ship upon its arrival so that Morris’ condition could be analysed by a specialist.
The next day, Morris was taken ashore to the Blue Sisters’ Hospital in Valetta, where he was immediately attended to by Doctor Vella. The news was not good from the specialist and he announced that Morris would require immediate surgery.
Harry Sunderland, the manager of the Kangaroo’s, had to decide whether to stay in Malta or to sail on and honour the tour program.
Sam Haron then stepped forward and volunteered to stay with Morris in Malta to comfort him while in hospital, so that the team could continue to England without delay.
Reluctantly, the ship set sail the next day without their beloved team mate, while Haron began a bedside vigil for Morris in his hour of need.
It was found that Morris had ruptured his eardrum during the boxing session and the injury became infected while bathing in Colombo. Dr Vella feared that Morris was suffering from meningitis.
He told Haron to take some time off while Morris was
being operated on. Sam went for a drive around Malta to see the sights. He
arrived back at the hospital the next day.
Sam revealed:
“…on my return Ray asked me about my trip and seemed cheerful, but early next morning I awakened feeling instinctively that all was not well.”
Haron called the doctor but there was little they could do and Morris died a few hours later, with Sam by his side.
Sam revealed:
“…on my return Ray asked me about my trip and seemed cheerful, but early next morning I awakened feeling instinctively that all was not well.”
Haron called the doctor but there was little they could do and Morris died a few hours later, with Sam by his side.
“Ray knew that he was dying. He gripped my hand,
mentioned his mother, and then died peacefully.”
Aboard the S.S. Jervis Bay, the Kangaroos were
celebrating the birthday of Fred Neumann when they received the tragic news that
Ray Morris had died in Malta. All of the 500 odd passengers were grief stricken
and immediately held a memorial service on board as the ship sailed towards
Spain.
Back home, the Sporting community were shocked and deeply
saddened upon hearing the news. All Rugby League games, as well as some Rugby
Union and even Victorian Rules games being played that weekend, observed a
minutes silence.
Upon arrival in England, Sunderland decided that the best
way to pay tribute to Ray Morris was to leave his place in the team vacant for
the remainder of the tour.
A small ceremony for Morris took place in Malta before
his body was shipped aboard the steamer ‘Hobson’s Bay’ on August 22, to be
taken back to Sydney. Once the body was safely aboard the ship, Haron then made
arrangements to continue his journey to England.
On August 26 in England, the Australian team lined up
against St.Helens Recs for the first game of their tour. Before the game
started, a local band played the hymn “Silver Hill” as a tribute to Morris before
both sides observed two minutes silence.
The team travelled to Ilkley the next day where
co-manager of the tour, Wally Webb greeted Sam Haron.
Back home, on September 23, a public memorial for Ray
Morris was held. Thousands attended, Sydney’s Town Hall overflowed with people
in what was reportedly one of the largest memorial services Sydney has ever
seen.
His casket was carried by team mates from the two clubs
he played for. They were Charlie Cornwell, Bob Lindfield, Cecil Rhodes and
Charlie Wrench from Wests and Ross McKinnon, Gordon Favell, Tom Monaghan and
George Sullivan from University.
Also in attendance was the entire board of the NSWRL as
well as founder James Giltinan, along with Presidents, Secretaries and board
members from the Queensland Rugby League, NSW Cricket Association, NSW Baseball
association, NSW Rugby Union and Aussie Rules as well as committee men and
players from all NSWRL clubs and former players such as Dally Messenger, Dinny
Lutge, Alec Burdon, Charlie Russell, Webby Neill, Cec Blinkhorn, Claud
O’Donnell, Bert Gray, Clarrie Prentice, Arthur Justice, Clarrie Tye, George
Bishop, Benny Wearing, amongst many others.
Upon the Kangaroos return home, Sunderland announced that
the tour had made a good profit and consequently, each of the 37 players
received £200 each. Also, the family of Ray Morris received his £200, while the
£315 doctors’ bill for Ray as well as the costs of returning Ray’s body back to
Australia and the burial service were all taken from the tours profits.
The NSWRL board placed on record the services rendered by
Sam Haron for remaining with Morris in his hour of need.
Sam Haron died in 1940, a modest ceremony has held in
comparison to that of Ray Morris, but no doubt he wouldn’t have wanted it any
other way.
Ray Morris
First Grade and Representative Career Statistics
Western Suburbs (1927-1932) – Played 52 games, 29 tries
(78 points)
University (1933) – Played 5 games, 2 tries (6 points)
City (1931-1932) – Played 2 games, 2 tries (6 points)
New South Wales (1931-1933) – Played 8 games, 3 tries (9
points)
Kangaroo Tourist (1933-1934)
****This article appeared in the Men Of League magazine****
****This article appeared in the Men Of League magazine****
I remember my mother telling me this story when I was very young.
ReplyDeleteHer name was Patricia, and she was one of Wally Webb's daughters.