Harry Berry

H. Berry

By Malc King

Harry Berry made 137 appearances for Gloucester between 1907 and 1912. He started his playing career as a threequarter, but Gloucester moved him into the pack, where he proved to be a fast and clever forward who particularly shone in the lineout and in loose footwork.

His talents were recognised by the England selectors, and he won 4 caps in 1910 - against Wales and Ireland at Twickenham, France at the Parc de Princes, and Scotland at Inverleith. He scored a try in each of the away games. His first international on 15 January 1910 against Wales was also the first match for England at their new stadium at Twickenham.  

Harry was born in Gloucester on 8 January 1883, and became a career soldier when he joined up in 1899. He served in South Africa, India, and St Helena, but then returned to his home town, where he started his playing career with Gloucester. He was a tower of strength for the 2nd Battalion Gloucester Regiment rugby side, which reached the Army final in 1910. He is the only Gloster to gain international honours whilst a serving soldier, but strangely never played for the Army - he was debarred because he was an other rank.  

Corporal Henry Berry, service no. 005711, rejoined the Army at the start of WW1, and was killed in action in France on 9 May 1915. He is buried in grave MR0022 at Festubert.