The most learned of men, our own Alan McCredie, a man to whom no fact or figure concerning Hawick RFC is concerned, emailed the writer last night to say that he had received some correspondence recently from the John Graham, the son of Doctor Len Graham who will be 100 years young on February 25th, to ask if anyone could help with any memorabilia, photo’s or programs in which his father may appear. As the email explains John looking to put together an album for his fathers special birthday.
Alan has found the attached photograph, of the Hawick team that played Edinburgh Wanderers team that season, which has been forwarded, however if anyone has any other information, John’s email address is johngraham77@gmail.com
John wrote
“I wonder if you would be able to help me find some images of my father's time playing rugby for Hawick? His name is John Leonard Graham (but always known as Len Graham) and he will be 100 years old on February 25th.
He moved to Hawich as a GP in either 1954 or 1955. I was born in 1955 and I can remember him in his Hawick strip. Unfortunately he developed severe arthritis following an allergic reaction to antibiotics and had to give up medical practice in the late 50s. We moved to Sheffield in 1960. So he would have played for the 1st team from about 1955 to 58.
He also drove the 1st team bus to away matches! He had been in the Royal Artillery during the war and had a heavy goods vehicle license. He drove heavy goods vehicles in university holidays and apparently after problems getting bus drivers to work Saturdays he took his PSV test (I remember his PSV badge).
He has lived in Crieff for the last 50 years. He and I used to attend the Hawick sevens tournament in the 1970s and I know he last visited Hawick about 10 years ago with my sisters. He still reminisces fondly about his time there and if it had not been for his health problems I think he would have remained in Hawick all his working life.
I am putting together a photo display for his 100th birthday and it would be great if you have any team photos with him in.
He will be delighted to know that he is still remembered!
Unfortunately my dad's rugby career was rather scuppered by World War 2. He turned 18 in February 1942 and he told me there was no question of doing anything other than signing up. His elder brother and sister were already in the forces.
Interestingly he played rugby with or against Bill McLaren at some point during the war (before Bill got TB). He was demobbed in 1946 and studied medicine at St Andrew's University from 1947 to 1952. I think he started working in Hawick in 1954 with Rory Hamilton.
His peak rugby was at St Andrews. He played for Scottish Universities and had one Scotland trial but wasn't selected. By the time he got to Hawick he was 30 years old.
He stayed friendly with Bill McLaren who must have been teaching in Hawick when my dad moved there. I can still remember my first rugby international at the old Murrayfield stadium. It was Scotland vs Springboks in 1964 so I would have been 8 or 9 years old. We climbed up a back staircase to a box under the roof where Bill McLaren was doing commentary for the BBC.
He first met Bill McLaren in Italy in 1945 when Bill was a captain in the Royal Artillery. They played together on a Central Mediterranean Forces team against the British Army of the Rhine at Udine, north Italy. Bill played stand off. He thinks that match was in 1946.
My dad was brought up in Dundee and went to St Andrews University after the war. He didn't come to Hawick until 1954 when he got a job in general practice with Dr Rory Hamilton.”
It only remains to wish Len, a very happy 100th birthday, for the 25th, from all at Mansfield Park 🏉💚
