<\/p>\n
Archie Jackson in 1930.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Archive<\/cite><\/p>\n The story was indeed about the cricketer Archie Jackson, who was a contemporary and teammate of both Donald Bradman and Neil\u2019s father Alexander \u201cAcka\u201d Marks. Together, Bradman and Jackson were the rising stars of NSW cricket in the latter part of the 1920s. Marks also roughly fitted that bill, making his debut for NSW at the age of 18, just after the other two, who had also made their debuts in their teens.<\/p>\n We all know the talents of Bradman, but Jackson was in his realms. The record shows Archibald Jackson made 164 on Test debut against England at the age of 19, and was regarded by many as having the natural batting talent of the late, great and still deeply mourned Victor Trumper \u2013 who died in the early days of the Great War aged 37.<\/p>\n As Neil Marks recounted the story in his book, one day at the SCG, NSW are playing South Australia in a Sheffield Shield match. After being in the field the whole day long, young Acka Marks is glad to hit the showers at stumps.<\/p>\n Coming out and drying himself with the towel he had grabbed from his mum\u2019s closet that morning, he notices Archie rummaging in his kit, having forgotten his towel, and offers his mate his own damp one.<\/p>\n Gratefully, Jackson takes it, while Marks goes home to catch absolute hell from his mother.<\/p>\n Where is her best<\/em> towel, the one kept for guests? Where is it?<\/p>\n Oh … gawd.<\/p>\n Archie has it.<\/p>\n The next day he goes back to the SCG to resume the match, to be greeted by Jackson who gives him \u2013 not the towel Marks had given him, but … a brand-new towel, still in its sleeve.<\/p>\n When Marks asks about his mother\u2019s favourite towel, Jackson merely comments enigmatically, \u201cthe other towel is gone\u201d, and walks away. It\u2019s all a bit awkward, and all the more so when Marks takes the new towel to his mum that night. She is not pleased, as the new towel is not nearly as nice as the old one.<\/p>\n Alexander \u201cAcka\u201d Marks playing for NSW in 1936.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t understand Archie\u2019s behaviour,\u201d she tells her son, mystified. \u201cHe always seemed like such a nice boy.\u201d<\/p>\n Things move on regardless, and Marks thinks little more about it, until a few years later during the Bodyline series, Jackson is in hospital after collapsing before a NSW match. He is suffering from … tuberculosis. (Known as the \u201cwhite death,\u201d the infectious disease that commonly attacks the lungs.)<\/p>\n A lot of the Australian and touring English players visit him in hospital, as does young Marks. But because Archie is so crook, Marks soon makes his excuses and is getting up to go when Jackson suddenly brings up the subject of the towel.<\/p>\n Oh, that? Don\u2019t worry about it, Archie. Just rest.<\/p>\n But Archie insists.<\/p>\n Archie Jackson\u2019s coffin is carried by cricketing legends including Donald Bradman.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Archive<\/cite><\/p>\n Back then, Archie realised tuberculosis had got to him, and he knew it was infectious, so had to be very careful. Thereafter, he never borrowed nor lent any clothing, right up until Marks lent him the towel which he had absentmindedly taken. It was only after towelling himself down he realised what he had done.<\/p>\n So Archie had gone first thing the next morning, before heading to the SCG, to a local store and bought a towel for Marks\u2019 mother.<\/p>\n \u201cThe man behind the counter,\u201d he tells Marks, \u201csaid that it was the best towel in the shop. I hope your mum liked it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cArchie,\u201d Marks replies, \u201cMum said it was the best towel she ever owned.\u201d<\/p>\n When Marks gets home, he takes out Archie\u2019s towel from his mother\u2019s closet, and buries his head in it, crying like a baby.<\/p>\n Jackson died a short time later, aged 23. His pall-bearers were Australian cricketing legends Bill Woodfull, Bill Ponsford, Stan McCabe, Vic Richardson, Bert Oldfield and Donald Bradman. His headstone was paid for by public subscription and reads simply: \u201cHe played the game\u201d.<\/p>\n So yes, you lads at Normo Boys High. That is who Archie Jackson was. Treasure that blazer.<\/p>\n @Peter_Fitz<\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary.<\/i><\/b> Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Most Viewed in Sport<\/h2>\n
From our partners<\/h3>\n