Born: Fulham, 3 January 1914.

Joined Belgrave H: 1 May 1934.

Died: Southampton, 2 May 2008.

Percy Alfred George Wright was probably the only Belgravian who could claim to have competed against both Tommy Green and Ray Middleton, and then to have gone on racing and breaking age records until he was over 80. He joined the Club in 1934 and was quickly into his stride not only as a competitor but as a reporter for the Belgravian, reporting on the 1935 London to Brighton walk. In racing terms he always seemed to reach peak fitness for the Club Open 7 at the end of November picking up both handicap and scratch team prizes on more than one occasion. Within two years he finished fourth in the RWA "Junior" National 10 mile championship and so joined the senior ranks. Considering the talent in the Club just pre war his 4th place in the Open in 1937 and 3rd in the Club 10 a few months later heralded a great future. In the Middlesex 10 he lost by only 19 seconds to Olympic gold medallist Harold Whitlock in 1938. An extremely popular member, he made his mark in social functions and as a stroller, raconteur and later as a cartoonist. On the social side of things his portrayal of a "slave girl" attracted particularly favourable reviews! He never lost an opportunity to publicise race walking and promote events where he saw a gap in the "market". At the outbreak of war he joined the army and was posted to South Wales where he remained for much of his time. Time which, the Belgravian noted, was spent "in editing the Belgrave News Letter (BNL) issued to all Club walkers monthly, collecting Airgraph letters to raise money for a trophy, attending Cardiff University for Youth Club Instruction, endeavouring to tell the Welsh AAA how to run a sports meeting … and one wonders how he gets time for his Army duties?" Along with the late Jack Rutland he persuaded the Army authorities to include walking in their sports events. In addition they both supported local events as well as returning to Wimbledon to race when possible. The Airgraph collecting and recycling made possible the purchase of the "Overseas Trophy" for the Club Junior Cross Country Championship. Percy's cartoons brought donations for RWA funds and the very successful BNL kept many members in touch when publication of the Belgravian was limited due to war-time paper restrictions. He was a regular contributor to the "Race Walking Record" for many years.

On demob Percy entered Teacher Training in 1946 but with that out of the way he returned to walking in 1949 with some notable performances in distance events and by 1950 he was a Hampshire County Champion at several distances. He had lost a little speed but being successful over the County 2 mile event entered the AAAs race held in Reading. The event was won by Roland Hardy but to the surprise of everyone else Percy finished second. As he said, the result of a race always depends on who turns up on the day! To demonstrate his all round ability he went on to become a member of the 2nd placed team in the National 20 and the Nijmegen team that year. To say that Percy was Belgrave through and through would be an understatement – he lived, we believe, to be our oldest ever member, he supported us whenever possible, was ever ready with a pertinent comment, caught our styles in his drawings, recalled events long forgotten. Such was his commitment that he was reported as setting Club records by ensuring his three sons became members within days of their arrival into the world! When he married Kit, the Best Man, Frank Elson, was a late substitution for Alf Harley due to Service commitments. To the entire Wright family we offer our sincere condolences – we have all lost a great friend.

Percy was a man who achieved many things and apart from his athletic career with Belgrave Harriers he was: Former Head Teacher of Moorhill Primary & Middle School, Secretary Woolston Community Centre, Past Chairman, Southern and Wessex Caravan Club, Assistant Town Commissioner for the Boy Scout Movement, Supporter of Southampton AAA for nearly 60 years, Past President of Hampshire AAA, Athletics and Scout Correspondent for the Southern Daily Echo, Member of Southampton East Probus Club, Member of Woolston Camera and Chess Clubs, Member of the Esperanto Society.

EWH