Cricketers and the Law

Out of Print

This is copy Number24 of 350 copies printed.

Introduction It was Andrew Lang who wrote- There is no talk, none so witty and brilliant, that is so good as cricket talk, when memory sharpens memory,' and the dead live again-the regretted, the forgotten-and the old happy days of burned out Junes revive.

The reason I am writing this Book is because I have two loves, namely, the Law and Cricket. Not being a Player who can even qualify for inclusion in his own book, I justify my action by being the proud possessor of a very fine cricket library . and also what I please to term Cricketana.

My object to compile, as far as possible, a list of Solicitors and Barristers and Judges, who obtained some recognition for cricket at their School, University, College, County or Country.

It is not given to many to excel both in their profession and at games, but, naturally there have been exceptions. If I have been guilty of the sin of omission, then the fault is not mine as I have had to depend on what I have found out in books to which I have had access.

Believe it or not Lawyers on the whole are very modest and, it is very difficult to get them to talk about themselves, therefore, I have had to rely upon third parties, hearsay. evidence and what I have cleaned from research. I will, however, say this, they 'have in many cases written me of their local colleagues and query the right to be included themselves.

I had originally intended to confine this book to Solicitors, Barristers and Judges who were players, but, in one or two cases I have made the exception of mentioning Lawyers who contributed to the game by their writings, and in one or two other cases I have included Barristers Clerks and Solicitors Articled Clerks. One must remember that a large number of men were called to the Bar and did not practice.

There are many of both branches of the profession who, having qualified, used their qualifications later on for the Church, administrative posts, politics or business; and, also a great many after their school or college days finished did not have the time to follow up their sporting activities.

It should be recalled that there are several who excelled at other sports and only played cricket to a lesser extent in the cricket season. There were many who had their cricket careers cut short by death or illness, i.e. were killed in action or grievously wounded. I believe there are more than a few of us who like to think that they are not quite forgotten, and also there must be many who are glad to recall their forebears or partners who Played the Game.

I would like to explain that after the name the letter (S) denotes Solicitor, (B) Barrister, (J) Judge. I have endeavoured, as far as possible, to give, if not the date of the birth, then the date when the particular player was in the School Eleven, College Eleven, or " Varsity Eleven ", etc.

I was at first a little trouble as to how to arrange this book-to do it alphabetically or statistically, so after taking advice of people more skilled than myself I have decided that I will deal with it alphabetically and at the same time indicate where Solicitors practised. If no mention is made of the town it can be assumed that they practised or practise in or about London.

I will not adopt any general rule in dealing with the exploits of any particular player, therefore will only mention those of a particular cricketer when he is not so well known to have been a player, or on the other hand the efforts of a well known player who is not generally known to have been a Lawyer. Varsity. This is not intended to be a history of cricket but rather a book dealing with Lawyers who were cricketere, as previously mentioned.... J.W.G.