Ann Chapman describes the life of Jack Kirkby, a Kendal rugby player selected to play for England boys in 1937

In 1936 a Boys’ International Trial rugby game was held at Kendal. It was the first time in the history of rugby in Westmorland that a game of this kind had taken place.

As a result of this game young John Hartley (Jack) Kirkby was chosen to play in a further trial at Redruth in Cornwall. After the final trial at Bedford, Jack was selected to play full back in the England versus Wales game on March 13, 1937.

He was 14 years old at the time, stood 5’6” tall and weighed 8½ stones. He was the first Kendal and Westmorland Boy to be picked to play for his country.

Geo. N. Higgin, committee member and secretary at KRUFC during that time, wrote a who’s who of outstanding players - ‘those who had contributed most to the rise of the Black & Ambers from 1905 to 1944’.

He commented that “Full back Jack Kirkby 1938-1943 was one of the most promising youngsters, is a good kicker, fearless tackler, possesses a safe pair of hands and positions well.”

Jack continued playing rugby through the 30s and 40s at Mint Bridge.

His great grandfather was born and brought up in Langdale and was employed at the Gunpowder works. His grandfather was a slate quarryman born in Langdale and his father, born at Loughrigg, trained to be a railway goods clerk and moved to Kendal.

His uncle Robert played the game during the period 1876 to 1880 and must have been one of the first Hornets players.

Jack married Margaret Blacow in 1958 and moved back to Ambleside, where he opened a shop on Compston Corner. He sold bicycles and also electrical goods as he was an electrical engineer.

One day he decided he had ‘had enough’ of bicycles and got rid of them all, concentrating on the electrical and TV installation side of the business instead. He carried on with the shop until he passed away in 1979.

His wife had kept his England rugby shirt and cap with other rugby memorabilia, all of which were discovered recently in a loft by Jack’s nephew. They have been donated by the family to Kendal Rugby Club.