StanHarris

Described as a 'Boy’s Own' hero for his all-round sporting prowess, Stanley Harris played for the Lions on the 1924 Tour of South Africa.

He represented England in rugby and polo, became a South African boxing champion and turned down a place in the 1920 Great Britain squad for the Olympic Games.

Born in Somerset East, Harris also served during both World Wars. And it was after the first conflict ended that he took up ballroom dancing to alleviate the boredom of his recovery from injury. Harris excelled and reached the finals of the World Ballroom Dancing Championship, winning the waltz section.

Fully recovered, Harris began playing rugby again - a sport he had shown an aptitude for at school - and turned out for Blackheath and East Midlands.

His form earned an England call and in February 1920 he made his debut for the Red Rose in a Five Nations match against Ireland. He was involved against Scotland, scoring to win the Calcutta Cup and clinch the Championship which was shared three ways with Scotland and Wales.

Harris played 12 matches on the 1924 Tour to South Africa and was involved in two of the four Tests against the Springboks, scoring 15 points for the touring side.

The wing would remain in South Africa and represented his adopted nation in tennis and boxing. He might have become an Olympian, but turned down the chance to represent Great Britain at modern pentathlon to focus on rugby.

In 1946 he was awarded the CBE.