Here at the University of Huddersfield Archives and Special Collections we are always very keen to support and promote all kinds of heritage projects that involve the local area. But with the cataloguing of the Rugby League Archive underway, we’re especially excited when those projects involve our favourite Huddersfield-born game!

Below is a link to an excellent audio feature recorded as part of the Huddersfield Giants’ Rugby League a lasting legacy project. The feature tells the story of possibly Huddersfield’s greatest ever rugby player, Harold Wagstaff (9 May 1891–19 July 1939), who led the Huddersfield team, that became known as The Team of all The Talents, to all four cups during the 1914-15 season before going on to captain England. However the onset of the First World War affected lives throughout society and it would see Harold called up for service through conscription in March 1916. Following training in London, Harold would go on to serve in Palestine from summer 1917 until the end of the war when he returned to Huddersfield to continue his very successful career.

The feature has been made available on the BBC World War I website and demonstrates the amazing stories that are held within the Rugby League Archive Collection.

Listen to the feature here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01yw4yz