This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who served in, and survived, The Great War. If anyone has further information on the men concerned, I’d be most grateful if it could be added to the thread. Gareth Coverdale, Harry played for England Internationals: 4 : 1910 F+ ; 1912 I+ F+ (1d) ; 1920 W- Harry Coverdale was born on 22 March 1889, in Hartlepool Played as a Fly-half for: Rossall School, Hartlepool Rovers, Blackheath, Barbarians, Durham Counties, Surrey Profession: Shipowner War service: Second Lieutenant, 17th Battalion, London Regiment; Lieutenant, Armourer officer, No 74 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force. Remarks: Played for Barbarians: v Shoreham Camp (16-13) in 1914; v Cardiff (6-12) in 1920; v Swansea (0-0) in 1922. Football for Rossall. England selector 1931-1948. Served during the 1939-1945 War in the Royal Air Force. Emigrated to South Africa in 1949. He is mentioned in Major J I “Taffy” Jones’ book King of Air Fighters: "In order to keep fit we (No 74 Sqn) had stirring Rugby matches with No 54 Squadron, who shared the Clarmarais North Aerodrome with us. On our side, Coverdale and Caldwell were irresistible, and played with scintillating brilliance. These games were the first of eighteen victories which the Squadron won during its period in France. No match was lost." Also mentioned in the same author’s Tiger Squadron: "April 4 - Each pilot, with the help of Harry Coverdale, the England Rugby international, sights his own [guns]. April 19 - We beat up No 54 at rugger. Our star turn was Coverdale. He seemed to score just when he liked. Although only about 5 feet 3 inches in height and rather lean, his wiry little figure played havoc with his bigger, more cumbersome opponents." He died in 1964 in South Africa
Snippet ....... Gareth ! You maybe interested to know his Grandson was born in Toronto, Canada and returned to the UK when his father left the CBC to take up a new post with the BBC. His father had a distinguished career as Head of Light Entertainment and was responsible for bringing us such shows as Dads Army, Steptoe and Son, Hancock’s Half Hour and Monty Python’s Flying Circus to name just a few. A fitness and sports enthusiast he loves to run and play squash. He is also a couch coach for every televised rugby match. Having a grandfather, Harry Coverdale, who played Fly-half for England from 1910-1920 Harry Coverdale continued his Rugby career as an England selector and was recently recognised by the Telegraph on line as being the seventh youngest England Fly-half.
Annie As a great fan of all the series you mentioned, I'm very grateful that the son did such a good job. Your post has given me another bit of trivia: What's the connection between No 74 Sqn RFC and Dad's Army? Gareth
Annie It's in the posts above. No 74 Sqn's armourer officer was Harry Coverdale, the father of the BBC's Head of Light Entertainment when Dad's Army was commissioned. There is another RFC/Dad's Army connection: the actor Vernon Drake, a stalwart of the rear ranks of the Walmington-on-Sea platoon in many episodes, was an RFC veteran. Cheers Gareth
