Harry J Gration MBE DL (1950 – 2022)
All at St Peter’s were devastated to hear about the sudden death of Harry Gration on Friday 24 June 2022.
Those who knew Harry have fond memories of a kind, generous and thoughtful man who was devoted to his family and still found time for everyone he met. It was a great joy and privilege for all at St Peter’s that he maintained a lifelong connection with his school.
Harry was born on 22 October 1950, in Bradford. He joined St Peter’s from Leeds Grammar School in 1965 joining Queen’s House and leaving St Peter’s in 1969.
Harry Gration, Queen’s House, 1969
In his final year at School Harry was the Queen’s House Monitor, and the Queen’s Chapel Monitor, as well as Secretary of the Theological Society. His name and achievements appear numerous times in the school publication, The Peterite. His arrival at the school in October 1965 is noted and there are subsequent references about his contribution to sporting life at St Peter’s, with detailed analysis of matches and his performances. The Peterite magazines between 1967 and 1969 acknowledge his efforts in rugby for the Under 16s Colts team and 1967 is the first mention of Harry playing for the 2nd XI at Cricket. In May 1968 he was awarded his Colours for hockey and his performance was commended in the hockey report.
Harry also took part in badminton and football, but his favourite sport was most notably cricket, being made Captain of the School 1st XI in 1969. He received praise for his leadership and performance in the Cricket 1969 Retrospect “To have won six matches out of nine, whilst losing only one in the last month was greatly to their credit. Much of this credit must go to Harry Gration, who would be the first to admit he had much to learn when he was appointed captain.”
Harry was always immensely proud that as former Cricket Captain, his son Harvey would also go on to Captain the 1st XI, the second father and son duo to achieve this feat, following in the footsteps of David and Richard Kirby. Both of Harry’s sons Harrison and Harvey were educated at St Peter’s, leaving the Upper Sixth in 2021, and he was so proud of all they achieved at the School. Harrison’s involvement in the Music Department, his performances and involvement in concerts and productions at School, including the Barbershop, before progressing to the Royal Academy of Music were a particular highlight.
Harry (second from right) with David Kirby
Harry maintained his connection with the school throughout his life after leaving St Peter’s in 1969. He was a proud and strong supporter and remained involved with the Old Peterite Pandas Hockey Club and continued the long standing friendships and connections he made at School and through the Old Peterite Club.
Long-standing friend, fellow Old Peterite, former Secretary and former President of the OP Club, Bill Hudson (1964) remembers Harry’s contribution to the Club: “Harry was an exceptional human being. From the first meetings I had with him when he was a schoolboy playing against the Old Peterite Hockey team, 'the Pandas', it was clear he had an array of talents. He joined the Pandas on leaving St Peter's and soon became an efficient Secretary of the Club. Many were the enjoyable Hockey Festivals we shared at Bridlington.
The great thing about Harry was his reliability and his willingness to help and support you however busy he was in his working life. I invited him to speak at one or two functions I was involved with. He was always willing to do so if he was not otherwise engaged. That was Harry, dependable, approachable and a true gentleman in every sense of the word.”
Fellow Old Peterite Chris Leake (Temple and Dronfield 1964-1969) remembers his time with Harry at School: “I knew him as a fellow Peterite more than 50 years ago. He had a steady bat and a typically dry Yorkshire humour. On the day “Monty” — Viscount Montgomery of Alamein — visited the school, Harry suffered a cut ear on a concrete window lintel after we playfully nudged each other. I apologised. Typically, Harry said: “Forget it, mate. I’ve got another one!” We both ended up as journalists, Harry on BBC Look North and myself on The Daily Telegraph and The Mail on Sunday. RIP Harry.”
He began his career as a history teacher, but it was his television career with the BBC, which started in 1978, which made him a household name, not least as a longstanding presenter of BBC Look North from 1982. During a distinguished career he also commentated for BBC Sport, covered the Olympic Games and presented Grandstand. He retired from the BBC after over 40 years of Broadcasting in October 2020. During his career, he won two Royal Television Society (RTS) awards for sports documentaries, and he won the RTS Best Presenter award twice. Harry’s style of presenting has often been remarked upon and complimented for the fact that the audience felt as though they knew him, and he was speaking to friends.
Harry was made an Honorary Doctor of the University of Bradford in July 2008 and received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of York in 2018. He was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire in 2019. In 2013, his work in broadcasting was recognised when he was appointed MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.
His charitable work was vast, he was Patron of many charities, including more recently the York Carers Centre. Tributes to Harry all recognise and celebrate the work he did personally to raise transformational sums of money for charity, including Sports Relief and Comic Relief.
Harry joined the Old Peterite Committee Club in 2019, taking the role of Old Peterite President from September 2020. Harry welcomed each Old Peterite personally to every event, particularly enjoying the London drinks. He commented on how much he felt he had missed in previous years as the pandemic prevented the Club from holding in-person events.
Not to be deterred, Harry was keen to ensure links with the Old Peterite community remained strong with the delivery of online events. He hosted the Old Peterite Gin Tasting event, alongside Old Peterite and Director of York Gin, Harry Cooke. Harry also welcomed the opportunity to take part in ‘In Conversation with Harry Gration’ sharing his memories of School, and his aims for the Club with Head Master, Jeremy Walker in December 2020. In Conversation with Harry Gration | News | St Peter's School (stpetersyork.org.uk)
One of Harry’s aims for the Club was to ensure that everyone felt welcome at Old Peterite events, and that the Old Peterite Committee is representative of the Old Peterite Community, forging stronger links and connections with the school. In his time as President, he helped transform the membership of the OP Club Committee. He recognised that Old Peterites have a life-long affinity and connection to the School and he often commented on how special the St Peter’s community was to him, remarking on many an occasion ‘Once a Peterite, always a Peterite.’
Harry at the rowing, OP Day 2021
Tributes to Harry continue to come to the School, with lovely memories and reminiscences of how personable Harry was and how he will be so sadly missed by so many.
“I only got to know Harry through the OP Committee, but he was such a fantastic, approachable person, great presenter, and public speaker and from what I saw, meeting his family, a great father and ambassador for the school. My lasting memory of Harry will be meeting up with him on the train down to London drinks and then walking to the venue through London. We had a great evening parted company but met up on the last train home. Although after midnight, Harry insisted on driving me home - it was only on the way back, I found out he lived nowhere near my house, and it was probably a 10-mile detour.”: Anthony Dixon, Old Peterite Committee.
Jeremy Walker, Head Master of St Peter’s said “We will miss our inspirational friend so very much. The School flag is at half-mast for Harry, but we are also enjoying sharing many happy memories of a wonderful, talented, kind, and true gentleman. I am glad to have known Harry as a friend and will always be grateful for his support, wisdom and good humour. He stands as a fine example of a life lived well and an inspiration to all connected to St Peter’s. Rest in peace Harry: Old Peterite, Peterite Parent, President of the Old Peterite Club, and all-round legend.”
If you would like to share any tributes or memories with the School and Harry’s family, please email [email protected]
