It’s always tempting when looking at a football career disrupted by war to think about what might have been.
But in the case of Collingwood forward Jack Pimm, we should be grateful for what was rather than dwell on the fact that his 58 game-113 goal career was so rudely interrupted.
For what kept him away from the club throughout much of the Second World War, and what he was able to accomplish in that time, were of significant importance to the war effort of his country compared to what he might have achieved in black and white.
He was a good footballer, who sacrificed what might have been the best playing years of his career.
Click here to read Glenn McFarlane's full tribute to Jack Pimm on Collingwood Forever.
Jack Pimm
Games: 58
Goals: 113
Born: 7 October 1920
Recruited From: Wattle Glen
Debut: Round 4 1940 v North Melbourne
Final Game: Round 1 1950 v South Melbourne
Honours: Gordon Coventry Trophy (leading goal kicker) 1949, Life Member 1953
Jack Pimm stands at the far left in the back row. Phonse Kyne (middle row, third from the left) and coach Jock McHale (standing, sixth from the left) are among his big name club mates.
A tribute to Pimm: A Magpie forever
The Herald Sun's Glenn McFarlane pays tribute to the late Jack Pimm, who played 58 games for Collingwood during the 1940s and served his country during the Second World War.
