This Remembrance Sunday, we remember Lieutenant Colonel Angus Murray McCracken DSO, MC, a former Northern Football Club captain and president whose name lives on at McCracken Park.
Born in Newcastle, Angus served with the Royal Field Artillery during the First World War. He was wounded at Gallipoli and awarded the Military Cross in 1915 before going on to serve in France. After the war, he returned to Newcastle, worked as an accountant and played rugby for Northern. He captained the club in the 1922–23 season and served as president from 1935 to 1938. It was during his presidency, in 1937, that Northern moved to its permanent home on the Great North Road, which was named McCracken Park.
Born in Newcastle, Angus served with the Royal Field Artillery during the First World War. He was wounded at Gallipoli and awarded the Military Cross in 1915 before going on to serve in France. After the war, he returned to Newcastle, worked as an accountant and played rugby for Northern. He captained the club in the 1922–23 season and served as president from 1935 to 1938. It was during his presidency, in 1937, that Northern moved to its permanent home on the Great North Road, which was named McCracken Park.
Angus re-joined the Royal Artillery in 1939 and went on to command the 64th Field Regiment. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership at Salerno, where his regiment’s artillery fire helped repel two German counterattacks. On 4 December 1943, he was mortally wounded during the second Battle of Monte Camino, as Allied forces advanced towards Monte Cassino. He died of his wounds on 12 December 1943 and is buried at Naples War Cemetery.
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Northern’s Ian Jones recently visited Italy with former Army friends, retracing the campaign from the Salerno landings to Monte Cassino. During the trip, he took the opportunity to pay his respects at Angus’s grave.
As we gather at McCracken Park this Remembrance Sunday, we remember Angus and all those who gave their lives in service.
Lest we forget.
As we gather at McCracken Park this Remembrance Sunday, we remember Angus and all those who gave their lives in service.
Lest we forget.
