Obituaries in 1951

BESWICK, JAMES, who died at Blackpool on May 1, aged 58, was at one time a wicket-keeper on the Lancashire staff and kept goal for Sheffield United.

BIRKIN, MAJOR PHILIP AUSTEN, O.B.E., died at Nottingham on June 12, aged 81. He was a former President of Nottinghamshire C.C.C. and High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire in 1931.

BIRLEY, MR. LEONARD, C.S.I., C.I.E., who died at Bournemouth on December 18, aged 76. was in the Uppingham XI of 1893 and when at New College played in the Oxford Freshmen's match of 1894. The father of Robert Birley, C.M.G., he was formerly Chief Secretary to the Governor of Bengal.

BRIERLEY, MR. JOHN ARTHUR, a well-known sports journalist, died at St. Annes-on-Sea, Lancashire, on September 4, aged 79. Associated with newspapers at Blackpool, Nottingham, Sheffield and Preston, he covered, from 1895 to 1940, the cricket of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and Lancashire. He reported more than eighty Test Matches, all in England, and was formerly president of the "25 Club," an association of cricket journalists. He was equally well known in the Soccer world and with Mr. F. Howarth, the Football League Secretary, wrote the Jubilee history of that organisation.

BULL, MR. ALAN SPENCER, a prominent London club cricketer, died in Ealing, London, in March 1951, aged 86. He was a prolific scoring batsman and hit more than 150 centuries. In his last game for Teddington, at the age of 60, he scored 100 not out. He played also for Richmond, Hampton Wick, The Wanderers and other clubs.

CAMPION, COL. SIR WILLIAM ROBERT, a past president of the Sussex County Cricket Club, died at Hassocks, Sussex, on January 2, aged 80. He was Conservative M.P. for Lewes, 1910-24, and Governor of Western Australia, 1924-31.

COLLINS, MR. BERNARD ABDY, C.I.E., who died at Bedford on October 22, aged 71, was in the Malvern XI of 1898-99. When at Brasenose College, Oxford, he played in several trials, but did not get a Blue. He was formerly Director-General of Commerce and Industry in Hyderabad State.

CRABTREE, MR. FREDERICK LANE, who died at Canterbury on August 19, aged 78, was in the Eton XI of 1891. When at King's College, Cambridge, he scored 161 in the Seniors' match of 1894, and in 1893 hit 284 for King's and Clare against St. John's College, but did not get a Blue. From 1898 he played for Hertfordshire. He was formerly a partner in Sunningdale School, Berks.

CRABTREE, MR. HERBERT, who died at his home in Colne in March, aged 70, was one of the finest all-round cricketers the local club has produced. A tall, commanding figure at the crease, with a glorious straight drive off the back foot, Mr. Crabtree scored 50 at least twice on every ground in the Lancashire League. Through perseverance, he made himself the most consistent length bowler in the League and his slip-fielding was unsurpassed. Apart from spells as a professional with other League clubs and five appearances for Lancashire, including one against Yorkshire in 1902, nearly all his 27 years in active cricket were with Colne. He was a leading member of Colne's Championship-winning teams in 1902, 1905 and 1910, and in his last season, 1924, he helped the club to win the Worsley Cup.

DALE, MR. GEORGE F., who died at Bare in February, aged 72, occasionally appeared in the Durham and Northumberland minor county teams.

DICKENS, MR. WALTER. who died at Kimberley, South Africa, on January 11, 1951, aged 67, kept wicket for Griqualand West on numerous occasions between 1904-5 and 1923-24. He was captain of the Currie Cup team in his last season, when he also made his highest score of 68 against Western Provinces. His brother, William Dickens, and his son, C. J. Dickens, have also played for Griqualand West.

DOIG, MR. JACK who died at Invercargill on November 24, aged 81, was for many years a noted sportsman in New Zealand. Born in Victoria, Australia,he went to New Zealand at an early age. As a youth he made a name as a bowler and during his career he was credited with no fewer than fifty hat-tricks. On five occasions he took all ten wickets in an innings, and he would have performed the feat a sixth time but for a dropped catch. A member of the Invercargill Club for forty-six years, he represented Southland for twenty years, playing his last game for them at the age of 63. His interest was not confined to cricket, and he did much for Rugby football, hockey, athletics, basketball, boxing and golf in Southland.

FOX, MR. JOHN HOWARD, who died at Wellington, Somerset, on March 13, aged 86, was in the Clifton Xl of 1883.

GARDINER, DR. IVOR BURBEROU, who died at East London, South Africa, in July, aged 48, was a steady, slow left-arm bowler and useful batsman who played for Western Province from 1926 to 1929 and for Border from 1933 to 1938. He frequently captained both sides. In all Currie Cup matches he scored 616 runs, average 17.60, and took 48 wickets, average 21.14. His best performances were 107 against Eastern Province at Port Elizabeth in 1934-35 and seven wickets for 28 against Orange Free State at East London in 1937-38.

GOAD, MR. FRANCIS EDWARD, who died at Godstone, Surrey, on May 19, aged 82, played for Eton in 1888 when, thanks to the all-round work of F. S. Jackson and R. B. Hoare, nephew of Sir Samuel Hoare, Harrow won by 156 runs. In the Eton second innings of 52, Goad scored 22. Jackson scored 21 and 59 and took five wickets for 28. Before the match commenced, his father promised him a sovereign for every wicket he took and a shilling for every run he made. Congratulated afterwards upon his efforts, Jackson is said to have replied: "I don't care so much for myself, but it'll give the guv'nor such a lift!" Goad was for many years principal fur auctioneer for the Hudson Bay Company.

GREENLEES, MR. JAMES ROBERTSON CAMPBELL, D.S.O. and Bar, Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (1918), who died in Edinburgh on May 16, aged 72, was in the Loretto Xl of 1898. He was better known as a Rugby footballer than as a cricketer. When at St. John's College, he gained his Blue in the four seasons from 1898 to 1901, and between 1900 and 1903 he played seven times for Scotland, being captain in the last season. He was for some time Headmaster of Loretto.

HANDS, MR. PHILLIP ALBERT MYBURGH, who died at Parys, Orange Free State, South Africa, on April 27, aged 61, was a batsman noted for his fearless hitting who represented South Africa in seven Test matches, scoring 300 runs, average 25.00. His best Test innings was a chanceless 83 against England at Port Elizabeth in 1913-14, scored out of 98 in 105 minutes. In Currie Cup cricket he played for Western Province from 1912-13 to 1926-27, scoring 899 runs, average 29.00, including three centuries, his highest score being 119 against Transvaal at Johannesburg in 1923-24. In 1924 he was a member of the South African team which toured England, but he scored only 436 runs in 26 innings in first-class matches. Previously, like his two brothers, R. H. M. and K. C. M., who were also well-known South African cricketers, he won a Rugby Blue at Oxford University (1910), but he did not play for the University at cricket. During the First World War he was awarded the D.S.O. and M.C.

HARRIS, MR. CHARLES, a left-hand batsman and bowler, who played occasionally for Northamptonshire before they became first-class, died at Knottingley, Yorkshire, on February 16, aged 83. He was a prominent player for Keighley in the early days of the Bradford League.

HEAP, J. S., the graceful Lancashire left-arm slow bowler, who played for the county from 1903 to 1921, died at Stoneclough, near Bolton, on January 30, aged 67. During his career with Lancashire, Heap took 400 wickets at an average of 23.75 runs each, and scored over 5,000 runs. Unfortunately he was handicapped through periodical attacks of lumbago, otherwise his full county record would have been more imposing. At Northampton in 1910 he dismissed fourteen Northamptonshire batsmen for 93--nine for 43 in the second innings. Twice he took eleven wickets in matches against Yorkshire-one occasion being at Manchester in 1913, when he had the remarkable figures of six for 16 and five for 23. As a batsman he could defend stubbornly or hit hard as the occasion demanded. His benefit in 1921 realised £1,804. For some time he was coach at Shrewsbury School.

HENRY, CAPT. B. J., M.C., an all-round cricketer who captained Oxfordshire when they won the Minor Counties' Championship in 1929, died in London on February 12.

HIGGS, MR. GEOFFRY, the Dulwich College cricket captain of 1950, died at the age of 18 on April 29, following an injury he received while playing for the First XV on November 18, 1950. For over five months he lay paralysed in hospital. Throughout his illness he set a magnificent example of courage. In the words of the College Chaplain, the Reverend A. W. Brown, "It is easy to talk of courage and fortitude when all is going well, but it is a very different matter to exhibit those shining qualities when the test comes. " Three years after entering the School, Higgs became a member of the Eleven, and in the following year he was chosen for the Athletics team. During 1950 he was made Captain of Marlowe, Captain of Athletics and Captain of Cricket, and finally gained a place in the First XV. He was made Captain of the School while in hospital.

HILL, MR. GEORGE M., who died at Menton, France, on February 20, aged 76, was in the Tonbridge XI in 1892 and 1893 and a member of the Rugby football team from 1880 to 1892. When at Jesus College, he took part in the Cambridge Freshman's match of 1894. He represented Cambridge against Oxford at billiards, and on three occasions he won the Stock Exchange Billiards Handicap. He won the Public Schools Middleweight Boxing Championship in 1892. A scratch golfer at Northwood; holder of the Royal Humane Society's medal.

HOPLEY, MR. FREDERICK JOHN VAN DER BYL, died at Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, on August 16. Born at Grahamstown, Cape Province, on August 27, 1883, he was educated at Harrow and was in the cricket XI in 1901 and 1902. In the second year he scored 74 in forty minutes against Eton at Lord's. Hopley won a cricket Blue as an all-rounder at Cambridge in 1904, but in the next two years was unable to retain his place in the side. He returned to South Africa in 1909, but played little more cricket. Hopley was a fine all-round sportsman. Good judges considered him to be the best amateur heavy-weight boxer of his generation and he gained three England Rugby caps, in 1907 and 1908.

KEMP, MR. MANLEY C., died on June 30 in his 90th year. He was a prominent member of the Harrow Xl of 1879 and 1880, leading the team in his second year, and also of the Oxford XI of 1881, 1882, 1883 and 1884. He captained the University side during his last two years there and in season 1884 played a memorable part in the only defeat which Oxford have ever gained against the Australians. The University had been set to score 108, but they began so badly that three wickets fell for 24 runs. Then Kemp and C. R. Hine-Haycock came together and remained until victory had been achieved. Kemp hit a magnificent 63. In the same year he helped Kent to beat the Australians. He was a splendid wicket-keeper and a courageous batsman. As a rackets player he won the Public Schools Championship in 1879-80. After a brief period as a master at Winchester he returned to Harrow, and was a house-master there from 1901-21. Known to old Harrovian as "Bishop," Kemp remained closely associated with the school's activities, and only a few days before his death he was watching a match on the sixth-form ground.

LEE, WILLIAM, who died in May, aged 53, played regularly for Staffordshire for many seasons. He was professional for Stone, the North Staffordshire League side, for seven years.

LUCKIE, MR. MARTIN MAXWELL FLEMING, O.B.E., a Wellington cricketer and civic administrator, died at Wellington, New Zealand, on July 2, aged 83. He played lower grade cricket when his senior days were over and did not retire from active play until he was 70 years old. He was a useful left-arm slow bowler. Mr. Luckie gave splendid service as President of the Wellington Cricket Association and President of the Wellington Cricket Club, for whom he played between 1891 and 1913. The Wellington City Council named a park, with playing fields for cricket and football, after him.

LYON, MR. HERBERT, who died in his sleep at Woking on December 7, aged 84, was a member of the Winchester XI in 1884 and 1885 and went to Corpus Christi College, Oxford. He was late Headmaster of Allan House, Hook Heath, Woking.

METCALFE, MR. EVELYN JAMES, who died on June 14, aged 87, was a member of the M.C.C. for 60 years. Soon after leaving Eton he went to Australia, where he lived for 25 years, and played for Queensland against New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, being referred to as one of the best slip fieldsmen in Australia. He also represented the State at lawn tennis. On occasional visits home he appeared for Hertfordshire and, when finally returning to England, took teams to Philadelphia and Canada. Born on September 29, 1865, he was a member of I Zingari, Free Foresters, Eton Ramblers, Butterflies and Incogniti.

MILNE, MR. WILLIAM, one of the most prominent and versatile of Newcastle sportsmen at the beginning of the century, died at his home there in January. He was 77. Although celebrated chiefly for his prowess as a Newcastle United footballer, Mr. Milne was also a good cricketer and he played for Northumberland.

MITCHELL, SIR FRANK HERBERT, K.C.V.O., C.B.E., who died at Crowborough, Sussex, on November 27, aged 73, was in the Eton XI of 1896 and 1897. In his first match with Harrow he took six wickets in the opening innings for 44 runs, and next year took seven for 64 and four for 92, besides scoring 48 in the second innings. At Balliol College he played for Oxford against Cambridge at golf from 1898 to 1901, and assisted England three times against Scotland. Late Assistant Private Secretary to the King, he was Secretary of the Most Noble Order of the Garter from 1933.

MITCHELL, MR. HORACE, who played occasionally as a professional for Sussex between 1882 and 1891, was within a few days of his 93rd birthday when he died at West Tarring on January 4. A bowler of considerable repute in club cricket, he did equally well on his few appearances for the county, taking nineteen wickets at 16.79 runs apiece.

MURRAY, MR. RONALD MCKENZIE, died on April 8 from injuries received when he fell accidentally while visiting a sick friend at Hanmer Springs, Canterbury, New Zealand. Aged 23, he was a right-arm medium-pace bowler and promising batsman who would probably have represented New Zealand but for his tragic death. He first played for Wellington against Auckland in February 1947, and the following month took three wickets for 43 and five for 85 against W. R. Hammond's M.C.C. touring team. His second innings victims were Fishlock, Edrich, Compton, Hammond and Evans. He again appeared for Wellington in 1947--48 and took 13 wickets in Plunket Shield matches, but the following year he did not do well and, though taking part in the last two trials, failed to win a place in the New Zealand team for England. He achieved a hat-trick against Otago in 1949-50. Murray was a member of the journalistic staff of the Evening Post, Wellington.

NASH, Mr. LESLIE CHESSBOROUGH FLEETWOOD, who died at Gerrard's Cross on August 30, aged 69, was a member of the Harrow XI who defeated Eton by ten wickets in 1901. He played in the hockey match against Oxford in 1904 when at Trinity College, Cambridge. A solicitor, he reached the rank of Major in the Rifle Brigade during the First World war.

ODD, MR. MONTAGU, who died at Sutton, Surrey, on June 11, aged 82, used to make cricket bats by hand for Dr. W. G. Grace at a guinea apiece. He was at work in his little shop a few days before his death.

OLLIFF, MR. JOHN SHELDON, who died suddenly when on his way to report the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships on June 29, aged 42, was in the St. Paul's School XI from 1924 to 1927, heading the batting averages in the last year with 40.06. Born on December l, 1908, he excelled as a doubles player at lawn tennis. He won the British Hard Court Championship with H. W. Austin in 1930, with F. J. Perry in 1932, and with H. Billington in 1939. Three times be was winner of the British Covered Court Championship, with H. W. Austin in 1930 and 1931 and D. Prenn in 1934, and winner of the Covered Court Mixed Doubles with Miss F. James in 1936. He joined the Daily Telegraph as lawn tennis correspondent in 1945.

PFEIFFER, CAPTAIN C. W. KNOWLES, who died on March 14, played cricket for Essex and Devon and also managed M.C.C. matches for a number of years. He served on the committee which formed the London Playing Fields Association and was a member of the England Hockey Selection Committee from 1904-6.

POLLARD, MR. JOHN, who played in the Lancashire and Ribblesdale Leagues, died at Accrington in October, aged 65. As an amateur he was a member of the Accrington side which won the Lancashire League Championship in 1914-15--16. Although he afterwards played as a professional for Darwen, Enfield and Clitheroe, Pollard reverted to amateur status and finished his career with Accrington.

QUAIFE, WILLIAM GEORGE, a leading Warwickshire player when they won the County Championship in 1911, died after a short illness at his home at Edgbaston on October 13, aged 79. An exceptionally skilful batsman and splendid field, despite his lack of inches and slight physique, he first appeared for the county in 1893 and enjoyed a great career lasting till 1928. He earned the special distinction of beginning his career with the county with an innings of 102 not out and finishing it also with a century, 115 against Derbyshire in his one appearance for the eleven in 1928. In all, Quaife made 35,836 runs for the county and hit 72 centuries in first-class cricket. In twenty-five seasons he exceeded l,000 runs and on four occasions reached a score of over 200, with 255 against Surrey at The Oval in 1905 the highest.

Particularly sound in defence, Quaife played with a very straight bat and, if careful rather than enterprising, was always stylish and attractive to watch. Born at Newhaven on March 17, 1872, he enjoyed the advantage of being coached in his early years by Alfred Shaw. After appearing in one match for Sussex, he, together with his brother Walter, decided to qualify for Warwickshire. So commenced an association with the Midland county which extended over thirty-five seasons.

William Quaife speedily established himself as a capable member of the side. Against Surrey at The Oval in 1913 he made 124 and 109, and twice, in 1901 and 1913, he hit three separate hundreds in succession. In 1898 he played six consecutive innings without once losing his wicket while making 471 runs. His best summer was that of 1905, when his aggregate amounted to 2,060 and his average to 54. He played for England against Australia twice in 1899, and in 1901--2 went to Australia with A. C. LacLaren's team, for whom his best performance was in the third Test match at Adelaide, where he scored 68 and 44. He assisted Players against Gentlemen eleven times between 1897 and 1913.

As a fieldsman, especially at cover-point, Quaife had few superiors and he bowled leg-breaks with considerable success, but in his early years his delivery of the ball was so open to suspicion that in 1900 the county captains passed a resolution that he, in company with several others, should not be allowed to bowl in competition matches. This decision did not receive the support of M.C.C., and Quaife, possibly altering his methods, bowled with such effect that during his career he took 928 wickets. He was the first Warwickshire professional to receive two benefits, the first in 1910 and the second in 1927 when he was the oldest player in first-class cricket. Though this latter match was ruined by rain, cricket being limited to ninety minutes, he received a cheque for £917. Following his retirement, he engaged in business as a cricket bat manufacturer. A frequent visitor to the Edgbaston ground, he described the Championship-winning side of 1951 as one of the best-balanced ever to represent the county.

RADCLIFFE, MR. GEORGE, who died at his Dukinfield home on October 27 at the age of 74, was the first player to score l,000 runs in a season of Central Lancashire League cricket. He remains the only amateur to have performed the feat, which he achieved in 17 innings for Stalybridge C.C. in 1915. A neat, compact opening batsman and a grand stroke-player, Mr. Radcliffe earned a reputation as one of the finest cricketers to hail from the North Cheshire area. He represented Cheshire at the age of 17 and in 1903 he qualified for Lancashire. He failed to do justice to his ability in first-class cricket, however, and after six years as a Lancashire professional he returned to Stalybridge, with whom his name will be always chiefly associated. He captained the club for many years and at the time of his death was President and a Life Member.

ROBERTS, WILLIAM B., died suddenly at Bangor, North Wales, on August 24, at the age of 36, after a relapse following an operation several months before. A left-arm slow bowler of considerable ability and a most likeable personality, Roberts first appeared for Lancashire in 1939. He came into national prominence in war-time cricket and played in three of the 1945 Victory matches against the Australians. When county cricket resumed in 1946 he took 123 wickets in all matches. Though not so successful in 1947 (81 wickets), he failed by only one to claim a hundred victims the following season when his performances included six for 73 (with a spell of five for 29) for Lancashire against Don Bradman's Australian side at Old Trafford.

He obtained 71 wickets in 1949, but by this time two other left-arm bowlers, M. Hilton and R. Berry, were challenging for places in the county eleven, and in 1950 he did not play in any county games. Nevertheless he gave splendid assistance to Lancashire II, for whom he took 71 wickets, before joining West Bromwich Dartmouth in the Birmingham League. Unfortunately his health broke down and he played little more cricket. Lancashire recognised his loyal services by awarding him a testimonial which realised £3,000.

ROBERTSON-DURHAM, MR. JAMES ALEXANDER, who died suddenly at Gullane on November 23, aged 64, was in the Edinburgh Academy XI of 1905. At Oxford, he played in the golf match with Cambridge from 1906 to 1909, being captain in 1908. He was a chartered accountant.

ROBINSON. LT. COL. P. G., D.S.O., D.L., J.P., who died at Queen Charlton, Somerset, on January 30, aged 68, played occasionally for Gloucestershire between 1904 and 1921. His highest score was 66. He was captain of the Clifton College XI in 1900.

STOGDON, REV. EDGAR. who died at Northwood on June 30, aged 80, played in two games for Cambridge University in 1893 when at Clare College. He represented the University against Oxford in the mile race of 1892 and 1893, and played football for Arsenal in 1890. Formerly Vicar and Rural Dean of Harrow.

SELINCOURT, MR. HUGH DE, author of many delightful books about cricket, died at his home near Pulborough, Sussex, on January 20. He was 72. Educated at Dulwich and University College, Oxford, Mr. de Selincourt was for some years dramatic, then literary critic for London newspapers before he decided to devote his career to writing. Although his works were not confined to cricket, and there is no evidence that he was a specially accomplished player himself, he was perhaps best known for such tales as 'The Cricket Match, Over and More Over'. These revealed particularly his love for cricket of the village-green variety.

SEWELL, MR. CYRIL OTTO HUDSON, who died at Bexhill on August 19, was born at Pietermaritzburg, Natal, on December 19, 1874. He was only 19 years of age when he visited England as a member of the first South African side in 1894. Despite his youth and lack of experience in representative cricket, he made most runs, l,038 (average 30.52) on the tour, hitting 170 v. Somerset at Taunton and 128 v. Derbyshire at Derby. Later he came to live in England and he assisted Gloucestershire periodically from 1895 to 1919. He captained the county in 1913 and 1914, and was secretary from 1912 to 1914, succeeding Mr. G. L. Jessop in both offices. He toured Canada and the United States with P. F. Warner's team In 1898. Sewell will be remembered as a hard-hitting, attractive batsman and a magnificent off-side fieldsman. During the Great War he served as a Major in the Oxfordshire and Bucks Regiment, previously having been with the 5th Gloucester's.

SLOAN, MAJOR FRANK ALAN, M.C., who for several years was secretary of the Army Sports Control Board, died suddenly on January 21 in Winchester Hospital, aged 58. Major Sloan was well known in cricket, Association football and Rugby football circles. He organised many representative games, including the Victory cricket matches in 1945 between England and Australia at Sheffield and Manchester.

STONE, MAJOR CHARLES CECIL, who died at Eastbourne on November 11, aged 86, was in the Uppingham XI of 1883 and played occasionally for Leicestershire as an all-rounder from 1884 to 1896. He visited the West Indies with A. Priestley's team in 1896-97.

SURRIDGE, MR. PERCIVAL, died at Bradfield, Berkshire, on July 2, aged 63. Managing director of the firm of cricket hat manufacturers and father of W. S. Surridge, appointed captain of Surrey for 1952.

STUDD, CAPTAIN EDWARD BASIL TURNOUR, died at Stanton, near Broadway, on March 2, aged 72, was a member of the Harrow XI from 1896 to 1898. In his first match against Eton he did much with an innings of 50 to save the game after a follow-on 168 behind. He became an indigo planter at Behar, India. During the first Great War, he attained the rank of Captain in the Northumberland Fusiliers.

STURT, REV. HORACE, died at Sedlescombe, Sussex, in January, aged 81. He played for Hertfordshire in his youth and afterwards captained Bexhill Cricket Club.

THOMPSON, MR. FRANK A., died at Nairn (Scotland) in February, aged 77. Playing for Nairn County until 1926, he captained the side when they won the North League Championship for the first time in 1906.

TRAFFORD, THE HON. CHARLES EDMUND DE, captain of Leicestershire from 1890 to 1907 and a friend and contemporary of W. G. Grace, died at Sibbertost, near Market Harborough, on November 12. "C. E.," who was 87, was born at Trafford Park, Manchester, at the time when the Old Trafford ground belonged to his father, Sir Humphrey, After playing one game for Lancashire, he moved south, and assisted M.C.C. before joining Leicestershire in 1888. Altogether during his first-class career, which was extended by occasional appearances until 1920, he made nearly 10,000 runs.

TREGEAR, DIONYSIUS HERBERT, who died on February 10, aged 65, was a member of the M.C.C. ground staff at Lord's for many years. He played in a few matches for Middlesex 2nd XI before being appointed a Minor Counties umpire in 1927; he was still on the list at the time of his death. He stood in many M.C.C. out-matches and also acted as a coach in South Africa.

TUFNELL, COLONEL NEVILLE CHARSLEY, whose death at the age of 64 occurred on August 3, was in the Eton XI in 1905-6-7. When he went up to Cambridge he quickly established a reputation as a talented wicket-keeper, gaining a place in the University teams of 1909-10. While still at Cambridge he toured South Africa with the M.C.C. team of 1909-10 and deputised for Strudwick of Surrey, injured, in the Fifth Test Match at Cape Town. Tufnell also toured New Zealand with E. G. Wynyard's team in 1906-7. He kept wicket for the Gentlemen at Lord's and played for Surrey between 1907 and 1922.

VALENTINE, MR. ERNEST, who died at Workington, Cumberland, in May, aged 76, played cricket and Rugby football for the county and for nearly 50 years was associated with the administrative side of those games. He presented Workington C.C. with their ground. A retired steel executive, he was an honorary member of the M.C.C.

WALTER, THE VERY REV. CHARLES KEMPSON, who died at Chelmsford on January 16, aged 59, was in the Felsted XI of 1909 and 1910, and while at St. John's College, Oxford, played in the 1911 University Freshmen's match. He was Rector and Provost of Chelmsford Cathedral from 1949.

WESTRAY, MR. TOM, who died in London on December 9, aged 80, was in the Uppingham XI from 1889 to 1891, being captain in the last two years. He captained a team which visited Portugal in 1898. He played hockey for England from 1895 to 1898 and also in 1900.

WILLIAMS, MR. WILLIAM, who died at his home at Hampton Wick on April 14, aged 90, was a fine all-round sportsman. Born on April 12, 1860, he was a member of M.C.C. from 1900. In the seasons of 1885 and 1886 he appeared as wicket-keeper for Middlesex, and after an absence of 14 years returned to the county side as a bowler of leg-breaks, playing occasionally till 1905. During the winter of 1896-97 he toured the West Indies with Mr. Arthur Priestley's team and, with 67 wickets at an average cost of 9.62, finished second in the bowling averages to A. E. Stoddart. He often assisted M.C.C. and was credited with taking 100 or more wickets a season in all matches for fifty-five years. In his last summer as a player, he turned out at the age of 74 for M.C.C. against the House of Lords and, after dismissing Lord Dalkeith, Lord Tennyson and Major L. George for 16 runs, was presented by the Marylebone Club with the ball. A good story is told of when, at the age of 65, he visited the West Indies during the tour of the Hon. F. S. G. Calthorpe's M.C.C. team in 1925-26. In Georgetown he challenged a West Indian friend against whom he played 30 years before to a single-wicket match for £25 a side. Winning the toss, Williams severely punished his opponent's bowling, completed a century and declared. Then, with a googly, he bowled his exhausted victim first ball.

Apart from his cricket, "Billy" Williams, as he was known to everyone for many years, was celebrated as the man who, in the early part of the century when a member of the Middlesex County Rugby Union Committee, ended a long search for a suitable site for a National Rugby Union ground by discovering a cabbage field of 10 acres which has since developed into the famous Twickenham enclosure. For a long time the ground, later extended by 18 acres, was known to Rugby football followers as "Billy Williams's cabbage patch." Formerly a player for the Harlequins R.F.C., he was a Rugby referee for 21 years. An honorary member of the Wimbledon Park Golf Club, he played a daily round until his last illness, and was a regular attendant at Lord's and at Rugby matches in the London area, particularly Richmond.

WREFORD BROWN, MR. CHARLES, the amateur footballer and Soccer legislator who played first-class cricket between 1886 and 1889, died at his home in London on November 26, aged 85. A free hitter, a slow bowler with a break either way and a good field at mid-off, Wreford Brown captained Charterhouse, and in 1887 he would have been in the Oxford team against Cambridge but for an accident. He occasionally assisted Gloucestershire, the county of his birth, and he visited America with Lord Hawke's team in 1891. As a Soccer player, Wreford Brown achieved fame as a centre-half, although he could fill any position. He captained Oxford against Cambridge in 1889 and gained four caps for England, one when he led his team to notable victory against Scotland in Glasgow in 1898. He helped Old Carthusians and Corinthians. he became Vice-President of the Football Association and for many years was Chairman of the F.A. International Selection Committee. He kept in trim even when undertaking legislative duties, and at 60 he turned out for Corinthians against Eton. Wreford Brown, who was a solicitor, made many trips abroad with F.A. teams as member in charge, and a good tale is told of him in this connection. A fine chess player, his keenness for the game led him into an embarrassing situation during one visit to the colonies. On arrival he was greeted by an old friend, a high officer of the home Association, also an enthusiastic chess player. All tour matters forgotten for the moment, the pair slipped off to a little cafe for a game, and there they stayed for several hours oblivious of the fact that officials were searching in vain for them and that the lunch of welcome had to go on without them.