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Charles Wright 1862-1952 |
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Obituary to Jack Wright...
Reproduced here by kind permission of the Hinckley Times.
As published on 13th January 2005.
Obituary ...
by Mitch Irving
One of the mentors of former national and world billiards
champion Norman Dagley and himself a childhood prodigy of the
sport, John Trevor (Jack) Wright died last month at his adopted
home in Boston, Lincolnshire at the age of 86.
A boy champion he later took up bowls and again reached
international level.
John and his elder brother Reg were sons of one time steward of
Earl Shilton Social Institute Charles Wright when the young
Dagley was taking his cue from them. Apart from having plenty of
time to practise on the Stute tables themselves the brothers
coached their protégé and were among the first Dagley paid
tribute to when he later won English and world titles at both
amateur and professional level.
Jack was a great all round sportsman, playing cricket for
Hinckley Grammar School but billiards was always his first love,
playing four hours every night after doing his homework.
In 1932, at the age of 14, he won the English boys' championship
at Burwat Hall, London beating G Jenkins of Gilfach Goch 750-596
in the final with one break of over 40 and three of 30 plus. The
same year he made his international debut at the same venue and
although England lost to Scotland, Jack won his game against
Robert Sinclair 250-229.
County title
As a senior he went on to take the county title at the age of 16
and was a finalist in the English Divisional Championships on a
number of occasions.
During the war Jack was a gunner in the Leicestershire Regiment
and it was then that, while playing billiards at Boston indoor
bowls club, he met his wife, Margaret. The couple married in
1943 and on his demob, they settled in Boston and had a son
Philip. Jack began work for his father in law's agricultural
engineering business and stayed with them until retirement in
1981.
Jack gave up billiards in the 1960's as his son explains: "The
combination of slightly poorer eyesight and his perfectionism
resulting in ever greater frustration with the game." "He was a
regular viewer of snooker, often commenting 'All the great
players make it look easy but my practice table had much smaller
pockets than those they use nowadays'."
Jack and Margaret enjoyed great success both indoor and outdoor
at county and England level, he making his debut by coincidence
against Scotland when aged 32. They also played tennis and table
tennis for local clubs.
On his retirement, Jack was instrumental in establishing the new
indoor bowls club in Boston, being chairman during the
transition and cutting the first sod of the building.
Mrs Wright died in 1992 when Jack moved closer to Philip, his
wife Lesley and granddaughter Katie.
His final months, when he needed full time care, were spent in a
nursing home.
Return to Wrights in Earl Shilton.