title: Harold Rippon
text: # Harold Rippon
  
  Harold Holt Rippon (23 February 1874 – 16 January 1917) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne and South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
  
  ## Family
  
  The son of Samuel Rippon (1845-1897), and Lucretia Eliza Rippon (1848-1899), née Butterworth, Harold Holt Rippon was born at Abbotsford, Victoria on 23 February 1874.
  
  His brothers, Les and Norm, also played for Melbourne in the VFL.
  
  ## Football
  
  ### Melbourne (VFL)
  
  Rippon played in four senior games for Melbourne in 1898 -- including the match against St Kilda, at the Junction Oval, on 3 September 1898, where he appeared with both his brothers, Les and Norm -- and in one game, the match against St Kilda, at the Junction Oval on 5 May 1900, where he played as a replacement for his brother, Les.
  
  ### South Melbourne (VFL)
  
  In 1903 he was cleared from Melbourne to South Melbourne. He played in 5 senior games in 1903 -- in four of which his brother, Norm, also played.
  
  ## Cricket
  
  He played Sub-District Cricket for the Caulfield Cricket Club.
  
  ## Military service
  
  He was a private in the 2nd Pioneer Battalion during World War I.
  
  ## Death
  
  He died on 16 January 1917 from the wounds he sustained on 14 January 1917, while fighting in the Western Front.
  
  ### Burial
  
  He is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe.
  
  