Harry Packer

Packer, Harry was born at Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, in 1870, and was educated at the Devon County School, near South Molton, where he studied for a scholastic career, but eventually entered the office of the late Mr. George Harries, Dock Street, Newport, and succeeded to his business of wholesale provision merchant, and agent for various well known shippers in the provision trade. He is one of the prominent figures in athletic circles in Newport and South Wales, being an old international Rugby player, and a member of the Newport XV. in the palmy days of Graham's captaincy. He was also very successful on the running track, but he now gives his spare time to legislative work in the cause of amateur athletics. Has held the position of football, sports and general hon. secretary of the Newport Athletic Club, and has been hon. secretary and handicapper for South Wales and Mon. A.A.A. Is president of ihe Newport Harriers, and vice-president of the Welsh Cross Country Association, also a member of the Welsh Rugby Football Union. As regards his athletic creed, he is a staunch upholder of amateurism in sport. He is a Churchman and a Conservative, but is not actively concerned in party politics. Although over military age, when war broke out he was one of the first volunteers from this town, and joined the 24th Royal Fusiliers (2nd Sportsmen's Battalion), went to France in November, 1915, was in the first line transport all through, including the retreat, March, 1918, and then in the great advance, and was amongst the troops who occupied Germany after the Armistice, being located about eight miles out of Cologne. Is today the senior partner in Messrs. Harry Packer & Co., wholesale provision merchants. Address: Merchant buildings, Merchant street. Telegrams: "Primrose." Tel. 3607.