Wesley’s Norman de La Harpe passes away in Melbourne
View(s):Norman de La Harpe, the ‘giant’ of Wesley passed away in Brisbane on August 28, 2015. De La Harpe was an outstanding sportsman, standing 6 ft 6 ins in height, who excelled in cricket and athletics, but he had more than one string to his bow, as he also played hockey, tennis, and was a promising pugilist. He played cricket from 1946-48. His enormous height naturally made him a genuine fast bowler, arguably the fastest schoolboy pace bowler in 1948. He was a member of the famous champion side of 1948, and vividly remembered in the ‘big’ match against the powerful Royal College side. Norman captured 4/40 and N.S. Jayasundera 3/32 to dismiss the Royal side for a mere 136 runs.
After school he played for Colts Cricket Club where he spearheaded their attack with another Wesleyite and pace bowler and the CCA. Norman was enrolled as a student of Wesley College Colombo in 1935. He received his entire education at Wesley and was privileged to be a pupil under the Principals — Reverends Dalby, Izzet, Holden, Cartman and Mr C J Oorloff. Norman proudly claimed tha he was a “born and bred Wesleyite”.
As an athlete, Norman was placed first in the High Jump and Putt Shot events at the Public Schools meet. Norman won the Wilton Bartlett Challenge Cup for the outstanding performance in the AAA meet of 1951/52 and later that year also won the prestigious G. K. Thornhill and C. C. Dissanayake trophies as the outstanding athlete of the Government Service Athletic Meet. He was selected to represent Ceylon at the Asian Games in 1953, in New Delhi, in the high jump event.
Representing Wesley at the Stubbs Shield Boxing meet in 1947 – Norman was awarded the best loser’s trophy in the heavy weight division, it was quite a remarkable achievement, as Wesley did not regularly participate in boxing. Norman alludes to the great sporting spirit that existed between St Joseph’s College and Wesley. At a Public School’s meet, Norman who had trouble with his “spikes” accepted Shirley Perera’s offer, a Josephian, to jump in his “spikes” resulting in Normanwinning the high jump event at the same Public School’s meet. In school Norman was trained by Dick Honter in high jump.
Norman immigrated to Australia in 1958. He lived a full life, played golf off an enviable handicap, and enjoyed the activities of the WCC OBU. He was closely associated with the Australian Ceylon Friendship (ACF), the Burgher Association and the Ceylon Masons. Norman de la Harpe was a former Melbournian who later resided in Queensland.
Norman, however visited Melbourne later and in his inimitable style kept the ladies and gentlemen entertained with stories of his exploits at Wesley and life. He was a regular at all the OBU (Australia) events. Norman visited Wesley during the Principal ship of Shanti McLelland and he proudly wore the school blazer with the Wesley crest. He acted as if he were a schoolboy and yet brought about a glorious double blue feeling. He spoke from the heart and gave students a feeling of being strong, loyal and dedicated Old Wesleyites and a proud Sri Lankan. We will always have Norman in our hearts forever and remember his 6 foot 6 inch personality and his good heart always. Oraetlabora. - PJ