A deeply respected and liked member of the Granville footballing community, Harry Wheat, a carpenter born in Grimsby, struggled for months with his conscience before finally enlisting in May of 1915. Writing to the local Granville Football Association his letter, published in extract in the Argus explained his decision: “I would have gone months ago but many have persuaded me otherwise. I have no ties and no excuses for not going, and I have not played football this season without feeling a little bit ashamed.”
Wheat was assigned to the 4th Battalion 7th Reinforcements and saw action in Gallipoli and on the Western Front where he was twice wounded. Football remained a part of Harry’s life while on duty playing in matches while in England and France.
Harry returned in 1918 to captain Granville and won his NSW cap playing against Queensland in the 2-0 win at Wentworth Park in 1920, alongside fellow Gallipoli veteran and Football Australia Hall of Famer James ‘Judy’ Masters. Some argue that he would have played for the state earlier but had decided to visit relatives in England in 1913.