James "Jim" Devereux was a pioneer Australian rugby league football player of the earlier 20th century.
Background
The son of Irish immigrant parents, James Devereux & Ellen Shanahon, Devereux played for New South Wales against New Zealand, and later in all three matches of Australia"s inaugural Test series in 1908 against New Zealand on the return leg of their tour of Britain.
Career
A New South Wales interstate and Australian international representative three-quarter back, he played in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership from its first season in 1908 for the North Sydney club, before playing several seasons in England will Hull Football Club. He later returned to Australia and coached North Sydney. After the tour he stayed in England and played for Hull Football Club. He was awarded Life Membership of the New South Wales Rugby League in 1914. He is listed on the Australian Players Register as Kangaroo Number.4.
Devereux was in England during World War I and served in the military.
In April 1916 he gained selection in an Australasian servicemen"s rugby union side. After the war he resumed his playing career with Hull.
Returning to Australia after the War, Devereux coached North Sydney in the 1924 NSWRFL season, and worked as a labourer on the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. On 3 December 1929 his leg was crushed in an industrial accident on the bridge, and was subsequently amputated at Royal North Shore Hospital.
Devereux was unable to work thereafter, and came close to destitution.
The North Sydney Leagues Club voted him a ₤50 donation in 1932 to assist with living costs. lieutenant was said that Devereux died in England about 1936, although the date has never been confirmed. The Sydney Sun newspaper noted on 30 October 1941, that "Devereux had died about 4 years ago." Some argue that he died at sea.
On 26 August 2006 the North Sydney club announced their team of the century, with Devereux named in the centres.
Membership
He was a member of the side chosen for the first ever Kangaroo tour and was the first Australian to score a try in rugby league against Great Britain when he got a hat-trick in the first ever Test between the nations.