cricketer

Commemorating the Fallen of WW1

Today we remember …

1st November 1918

Robert Browne, DSO, F Social 1895, Major, 1st Bn, Manchester Regt. Died of pneumonia contracted on active service in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq)

At school he was a Prefect and played for the Cricket and Soccer teams. He became a soldier, serving in the South African War. He was married to Gladys Hopwood in 1907.

He was returning to England on leave when he died of pneumonia contracted in Mesopotamia. He is buried in France.

Obituary. 18.12.1918 R. G. Browne (Croome’s, 1895-1899) was in the cricket and football elevens. From the Militia he joined the Manchester Regiment, and served in the South African War (medal, with 3 clasps). Only a short time ago he was mentioned in despatches (Mesopotamia), and was awarded the D.S.O. He was returning to England on leave, when he died of pneumonia on the way.’

The date of his death was amended to 11 November 1918 in the Archivist’s copy of the Radley Register. However, the evidence for this is unknown and all other sources, including the Radleian magazine, give 1 November.

Aged 37

Robert Browne in the Radley College Cricket XI 1898

Commemorating the Fallen of WW1

Today we remember …

1st November 1918

Desmond Cancellor, MC, C Social 1912. Lt, 1st Bn, Hampshire Regt. Killed in action, Battle of Valenciennes

Senior Prefect. He was a Junior Scholar who played for the Cricket and Rugby teams. He won a History Exhibition to New College, Oxford in 1915, but joined up in 1916.

He was a very popular Senior Prefect. News of his death on the major Feast Day of the school was devastating. After his death, his family published a novel entitled ‘Young England’ about school-life which he had written under the name ‘Douglas Strong’.

Born in 1898, he came, here as a Scholar in 1912, and ended his School career as Senior Prefect – a position which he filled with dignity and conscientious thoroughness. He was a keen and successful athlete, who had no idea of allowing athleticism to interfere with the more real and important aspects of education. And indeed, all through his School life, there seemed to be a background of serious sincerity which guided his conduct and was the secret of his strong and quiet influence for good.

And when we read the letter which told of his cheerful devotion and unshrinking bravery during those last trying and strenuous weeks of his service, we knew that he had been consistent to the end – the same gentle cheery boy upheld by that mysterious background of strength which had been with him all through. We are told how on one occasion he swam alone across a river and single-handed rushed an enemy machine-gun which was blocking the advance of his Company – no braver deed has been done in the war.

He is featured in the Commemorations for the town of Valenciennes

Aged 20

Lt Desmond Cancellor, kia 1st November 1918

Commemorating the Fallen of WW1

Today we remember …

31st October 1918

Thomas Irwin, H Social 1910. Lt. 2nd Bn, Sherwood Foresters. Died of wounds received in the Second Battle of Cambrai

At school he played for the Cricket XI and the Racquets Pair. ‘It was in the latter that he made his mark and was conspicuous at Queen’s Club for his cool and clever game. On leaving he enlisted as a private in the P.S.B.,but later entered Sandhurst, and took a commission in the Sherwood Foresters. He was very badly wounded in 1916, being shot through the lung. He went out again to France this year, and died of wounds on Oct. 31 (received on Oct. 8).’

He died in England and is buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery.

Aged 22

Lt Thomas Irwin

Commemorating the Fallen of WW1

Today we remember …

16th October 1918Thomas Babington, G Social 1903, Lt, Indian Army. Died of pneumonia on active service in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq)

Thomas Babington was a Junior Scholar. He played for the Cricket XI and was Captain of the Soccer team. After school, he attended Magdalen College, Oxford. He went out to India in 1913 as Professor of English Literature at the Government College, Rangoon, Burma. He joined up in 1916 as a Lieutenant in the Indian Army Reserve of Officers; promoted to Acting Captain 108th Infantry in 1917.

Aged 29

His story from Magdalen College

Radley College prefects, 1908

Commemorating the Fallen of WW1

Today we remember …

22nd March 1918

Thomas Gibbons, MC, A Social 1910, Captain, 1st Bn, Hertfordshire Regt

Killed in action, Second Battle of the Somme

At school he was a Prefect, played for the Cricket XI and was captain of the last Soccer XI before Rugby became the official school sport.

He signed up in 1914 and served in France throughout 1915-1918. He was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Cross.

Tommy was one of the most popular of Radleians; absolutely straight and trusted by all. I doubt if he ever had an enemy. Amusing and inconsequent in his talk, he was always the centre of a cheery group, for it was quite impossible to feel glum or out of temper in his presence. His death will have caused great and abiding sorrow among his countless friends, for he was loved and respected by all. In Oct, 1916, he married Edith Doris Evison, of Homefield, Coulsdon Common.

Aged 23

Captain TP Gibbons, MC, Hertfordshire Regt

Radley College Soccer XI 1913. Thomas Gibbons, Captain

Commemorating the Fallen of WW1

The grave of Albert Lane-Joynt, Guards Cemetery. Photographed for ‘Marching in Memory’ for Combat Stress, July 2015

Today we remember …

26th February 1916. Albert Lane-Joynt, B Social 1909. Lt, Machine Gun Corps. Killed by a sniper in France. Albert Lane-Joynt played for the Cricket XI in 1913, and joined Surrey CC after leaving school. He is commemorated on the War Memorial at Kennington Oval. He was a cricket aficionado who wrote magazine articles, and immediately on leaving school produced his first issue of the Public Schools Cricket Year Book.

A history of Radley cricket, by AW Lane-Joynt, 1914: … ‘the three best cricket Xl’s turned out by Radley were those of 1867, 1888, and 1913. … The 1913 side had the estimable advantage of a really good captain in O. A. Reid. He was a fine hard-hitting consistent bat and scored 101 (not out) in 80 minutes against Bradfield. His wicket-keeping was better than ever and when he bowled he was certainly the best bowler on the side. Both he and R. C. Keller had averages of 40; with the latter he bore the brunt of the season’s work. Keller is a really fine player with a beautiful cut, and should be heard of in the future. Reid was asked to play in the Public Schools Trial match at Lords… and was eventually chosen as first change bowler for the Public Schools XI. Expert opinion unanimously placed our team high among the school sides of 1913, and there could be no more fitting place to end this brief resume of Radley Cricket.’

[OA Reid won the VC in Mesopotamia in 1917. He died at Johannesburg in 1920. RC Keller served in France 1915-1917, was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps, was shot down and ended WW1 as a POW. ]

Aged 20