It is with sadness that the club has learned of the death of Graham Harries in South Africa, where he and his wife Jenny have lived for many years.
Graham attended Reigate Grammar School from 1953 to 1960 and on leaving joined Old Reigatian RFC. A talented Full-Back he first played in the 1st XV in 1962 and went on to play another 213 times between 1962 and 1971.
Graham succeeded his brother, Howard, as club captain in 1967 and held it until the end of the 1970 season. Graham lived in Horley and worked in the City until, in the early 1970s, he emigrated to Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and when the UDI situation deteriorated there, he moved to Durban in South Africa. His passion for rugby was matched by his passion for singing and he was still involved in choral singing until his health became too severe.
Lifelong friend, school pal, player and vocalist, Roger Green, recalls:
“Graham was a fellow 1953 boy, he was always a good athlete, footballer and of course rugby player. He always said that “the importance of playing rugby was enjoyment and of course winning” He loved a sing song in the clubhouse assisted by “the Plummer bros and full choir” Graham continued his singing in South Africa I’m not sure how his rendition of “underneath the arches” was received but Graham always enjoyed it. On his last trip home Graham and yours truly gave a splendid performance of “side by side” in The Farmhouse pub.”
The following is an exert from the forthcoming Centenary book to which Graham had sent the authors his recollections of Old Reigatians:
“Virtually all my memories are of the friends, colleagues, players, referees, bar staff, tea girls etc. These are the people who made our rugby club such a happy place. As for the game of rugby played at Park Lane, to be honest, the results were not always that important. Yes, we had some special wins, but almost all games were close and enjoyed. After our home games, we were privileged to enjoy the best very deep bath (often holding between 10 and 15 players), and win, lose or draw, there was always happy singing together with the opposition.”
“In my younger years as a player, I looked up to captains such as Peter Smith and Gordon Lockyer and characters such as Geoff Fenn and Dick Chisholm, whose funny stories added to the camaraderie and fun. Great friendships were forged among team players and supporters. Many stories abound about players, but none more than those stories linked to John Lister and Geoff Brown.”
Graham leaves a widow, Jenny and their children, Bryn and Amy
