“What the earth swallows is soon forgotten.” In his era, A.E. ‘Bertie’ Harragin, my uncle Bertie was the greatest all-round sportsman by far in Trinidad. Lieutenant-Colonel Harragin, my mother’s uncle, was also a distinguished soldier and fought with extreme gallantry and dedication in Palestine in World War I. At the battle of Damieh on the Jordan he was awarded the D.S.O for his leadership and bravery and earned the special praise of the Commander in Chief General Allenby.
Subsequently he had a fine career in the Police Force in Trinidad and rose to be Deputy Inspector General – much admired in his profession.
But his fame was truly in the field of sports. He was an outstanding athlete. At one time he held West Indian records in the 100 and 220 yard sprints, the hurdles, the shot put, the pole vault and for throwing the cricket ball and the Trinidad records for the 440 and 880. It intrigues me that his record of throwing the cricket ball 128 yards 4 inches may be the longest such throw ever officially recorded since around that time throwing the cricket ball stopped being an event in official competitions.
