Cornish Pirates

Jack Gunn
21st April 2010

It has been confirmed that a former 'Pirate', Jack Gunn, has recently passed away, aged 87.

Prop forward Jack, who joined the Pirates in 1947/48 and was capped three times for Cornwall 1949/53, played in the Pirates side that famously beat Cardiff 5-0 in 1950, and he was also in our team that competed at the Middlesex Sevens in 1951.

In 1954/55, after our appointed captain Mike Jenkin was seriously injured in October, Jack ably took over the leadership role. Also, in 1955/56, he was one of the first three Pirates, alongside Jimmy Hosking and Rodda Williams, to play 300 games for the club. Each was presented with a 300 games tankard, which has been a tradition over the years for players reaching that particular milestone.

The name 'Jack Gunn' was a fine name for a Pirate, and he was held in high regard – described as a good solid prop who was surprisingly fast, he never let up until the final whistle.

Jack is pictured (above) sitting to the left of Mavis Lawry (our President) in the 1953-54 team photo