Harold Walter Zucker (23 December 1917 – 7 June 1947) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He kicked three goals in his three games for the club. He also played for the Sturt Football Club in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL).
Family The son of Friedrich William Zucker (1884–1937) and Ida Mary Zucker (?–1976), née Becker (later, Mrs C. Gangell), Harold Walter Zucker was born in Saddleworth, South Australia, on 23 December 1917.Births: Zucker, The (Adelaide) Chronicle), Saturday, 19 January 1918), p.27.
He married Esma Mary DeVerneis (1926–2008) (later known as Mrs. John William O'Brien) on 10 September 1945.Engagements: DeVerneis—Zucker, The (Adelaide) Chronicle, (Thursday, July 1944), p.14.Approaching Marriages: DeVerneis—Zucker, The (Adelaide) Advertiser, (Friday, 7 September 1945), p.16. They had one son, Geoffrey.
Football A ruckman, he played with the Saddleworth Football Club in the Mid North Football Association,*Saddleworth Football Club 1936 (Photograph), Collection of the State Library of South Australia. the Sturt Football Club in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL),Sturt Follower, The (Adelaide) News, (Thursday, 11 May 1939), p.27; Footballers race for ball at Oval, The (Adelaide) Advertiser, (Monday, 13 May 1946), p.10. and the Hawthorn Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).Taylor, P., "New League Players", The Argus, (Friday, 10 July 1942), p.6; Taylor, P., "Leaders will be Tested, The Argus, (Friday, 31 July 1942), p.6.
Military service Having enlisted in August 1942, he served in the Second AIF.Taylor, P., "Honours and Commissions of Hawthorn Servicemen", The Australasian, (Saturday, 10 June 1944), p.12.
Employment On his return from the Second AIF, he was employed as a fireman.
Death He was unable to play for Sturt in 1947 due to the protracted illness,Jervis, L., "Football: Many Big Club Stars Drop Out", The (Adelaide) News, (Monday, 14 April 1947), p.8. from which he subsequently died at Plympton, South Australia, on 7 June 1947.Colmer, R., "Former Sturt Footballer Dies, Aged 29, The (Adelaide) News, (Saturday, 7 June 1947), p.3.Deaths: Zucker, The (Adelaide) News, (Saturday, 7 June 1947), p.3; Deaths: Zucker, The (Adelaide) Mail, (Saturday, 7 June 1947), p.16.Death of Saddleworth and Sturt Footballer, The (Clare) Northern Argus, (Thursday, 12 June 1947), p.5.
Buried at Adelaide's West Terrace Cemetery, his funeral was well attended by ex-footballers and members of the fire brigade.Round the Pickets, The (Adelaide) Advertiser, (Friday, 13 June 1947) p.12. A minute's silence was observed by players and officials before the start of the 7 June 1947 match between Saddleworth (his former team) and Riverton.Saddleworth v. Riverton, The (Clare) Northern Argus, (Thursday, 12 June 1947), p.6.
Footnotes
Sources Holmesby, Russell & Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers. 7th ed. Melbourne: Bas Publishing. World War Two Nominal Roll: Corporal Harold Walter Zucker (SX21526) , collection of the Australian War Memorial. World War Two Service Record: Corporal Harold Walter Zucker (SX21526), National Archives of Australia. Roll of Honour: Corporal Harold Walter Zucker (SX21526), Australian War Memorial. Corporal Harold Walter Zucker (SX21526), Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
External links
Harold Zucker, australianfootball.com. Boyles Football Photos: Harold Zucker.