61 for 1: Worcestershire's One Championship Match Cricketers

By Tim Jones

This definitive and expertly researched work chronicles the careers and life stories of 61 Worcestershire cricketers who played just a single game of Championship cricket for the county.
The breadth and depth of material not only provides the career details of each player, which you would expect to see in such a publication, it reaches way beyond that. It includes at least one photograph of each player, and in several instances, details of births, deaths, schools, universities attended and chosen careers; have been included or corrected based on new information which has come to light.
Coupled to that, it provides a fascinating insight into the lives of players and dovetails as a social history of the last 120 years.
Due to this research, and because of the thorough work undertaken by the author, the identity of two players has been changed completely. It has; therefore, necessitated the re-writing of existing and hitherto definitive, established cricket records.
While many of the players may not be household names, the book celebrates their remarkable lives and careers away from the cricket field, because each has a unique story to tell.
Included are great Test cricketers, stalwarts of league cricket and those who excelled in their own professions or served their community and country with dignity. Whether at other sports, within education, business and commerce or during times of conflict - the latter tinged with sadness that two of the players paid the ultimate sacrifice - they all helped to forge a unique place in Worcestershire's cricketing history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Grosvenor House Publishing
• Release date: May 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9781803817415

Tim Jones

As a young boy, Tim Jones's love of cricket was developed in the face of adversity. Confined to a wheelchair for long periods as a result of numerous operations to correct clubbed feet, his father – struggling to fill the time – taught him how to catch and throw. Once mobility improved, the natural progression was to batting and bowling, where the style of his hero, Glenn Turner, was copied for hours on end in the family’s back garden. It was Turner’s exploits in completing the coveted 1,000 runs before the end of May in 1973 which persuaded Tim’s father to take him to New Road, Worcester, to see the great man play. The die was cast and a lifelong passion for Worcestershire cricket was ignited. Possessing a photographic memory for faces, details and records, Tim’s first work, the biography of Worcestershire’s inspirational Leader of Champions and Champion of Leaders, Don Kenyon was published in 2015 and his second book, The 52 – Worcestershire’s Forgotten First-Class Cricketers, was published in 2021.

Book preview

Dedicated to the memory of Mike Passey, who sadly passed away before this book was published.

Foreword by Mike Passey

My association with Worcestershire CCC began when I joined the County nursery in 1953, and, after promising performances for the Club and Ground XI and the 2nd XI, I found myself promoted to the first team in the August of that year. Little did I realise that I had become – and remain – the youngest player ever to represent the County in first-class cricket, aged just 16. Surely it is a record which is unlikely to be beaten.

While cricket is undoubtedly a game of statistics and records, I am delighted to be asked to write the foreword for Tim’s book, because cricket represents far more than records alone can ever achieve. It is a game that evokes strong memories, recollections of great deeds and of the lifelong friendships and associations made.

This was evident when Tim’s first volume, The 52: Worcestershire’s Forgotten First-Class Cricketers, was published, chronicling the lives of 52 players who played first-class cricket for Worcestershire but did not receive their colours, unlike the 61 in this second edition.

Tim has undertaken the most diligent and painstaking research to uncover the life stories of the 61 players belonging to the ‘unique’ group who have played just one County Championship game for Worcestershire. Their careers have taken many and varied paths, from those who played league cricket or have represented their countries at Test level, to those who have achieved greatness in different ways. Each has left an indelible mark on the game.

Some served their country with distinction and were decorated for their heroism, and tragically there are players who lost their lives or were held prisoner of war. Tim even recounts their ingenuity in attempting to escape or help others to escape incarceration. Even in the most challenging of circumstances one player, Philip Dorell, was to play an ‘unofficial’ Test match while still held prisoner.

Others, such as ‘Tommy’ Tomkinson, who founded one of the country’s largest law firms, and his brother Geoffrey, who became a local industrialist, are celebrated, while George Martin and Tony Legard were to achieve greatness in their respective sports of yachting and golf. Dr Edward Bunting and the great Birmingham League cricketer Tom Allchurch became stalwarts of their local communities as a result of carrying out their day-to-day work. All these players’ stories have been skilfully woven together by Tim, whose enthusiasm for his subject shines through.

He has shown great respect towards each of the 61 and pays his own tribute to them. Speaking personally, I was fortunate to play first-class cricket and am proud to take my unique place alongside the other 60 in the club’s history.

Contents

Dedication

Foreword by Mike Passey

Introduction

Picture acknowledgement

1 Mehraj Ahmed

2 Tom Allchurch

3 George Baylis

4 Robert Berkeley

5 Percy Blewitt

6 Edward Bunting

7 Allan Donald

8 Philip Dorrell

9 Ted Eden

10 Bert Edwards

11 Percy Farnfield

12 Dilhara Fernando

13 Herbert Fulton

14 Will Gethin

15 John Harber

16 Harry Harper

17 Norman Hartill

18 Jim Higginson

19 Jimmy Higgs-Walker

20 Percy Jeavons

21 Jack Jewell

22 Trevor Larkham

23 Patrick Leeson

24 Tony Legard

25 Edgar Mann

26 Jack Manuel

27 George Martin

28 George Mills

29 Ken Mitchell

30 Percy Morris

31 Harry Mortimer

32 Reginald Moss

33 Colin Munro

34 Arnold Nesbitt

35 Roy Nesfield

36 Mike Passey

37 Bert Powell

38 Ben Preece

39 Bill Price

40 Paul Roberts

41 Gerald Sanderson

42 Mitchell Santner

43 Gerald Seeley

44 Adrian Shankar

45 Syd Shepherd

46 Mike Singleton

47 Ish Sodhi

48 Harry Southall

49 John Stephenson

50 Tom Stringer

51 Doug Summers

52 John Sutor

53 Ted Tinkler

54 F M (Martin) Tomkinson

55 G S (Geoffrey) Tomkinson

56 John Toppin

57 Percy Wakefield

58 Ted Wakelin

59 Tom Wells

60 Jack Wilkinson

61 Aleck Wyers

Copyright

Introduction

When I started my research I hoped that sufficient and interesting information about 61 players, who had played just one County Championship match for Worcestershire, would come to light. I have not been disappointed and hope that I have captured the essence of their lives in this book.

In the March 2023 edition of County Cricket Matters, Martin Hadland reminisced about his love of cricket at New Road and signed off with these words: ‘I feel so grateful to be in love with county cricket, because it truly nourishes the soul.’ He is correct and it is because of a love and respect for both Worcestershire CCC and County Championship cricket that I have undertaken this task.

Closer scrutiny of the record books suggests that those players who played in 1919 would appear to have played more than one Championship game. To clarify, games played in 1919, while they were first class, were deemed to be friendly games because Worcestershire did not enter the County Championship that season and the statistics are not, therefore, included in County Championship records.

If you are interested in knowing who played rugby union for England, who is the only player to have made his first-class debut during World War One, who was known as the ‘Dudley Jessop’, who was the prisoner of war who was associated with The Great Escape, who raced in and won the first Fastnet Race, who played an unofficial Test for England during his time as a prisoner of war, who bagged a pair in his only game or who is Worcestershire’s youngest ever first-class cricketer… you will find the answers… and more, in this book.

When I began, I decided that my research would conclude at the end of the 2021 season. Therefore, Mohammad Hasnain, who played one game in 2022 and Navdeep Saini who played once in 2023, are not included, neither are Alex Hales, Luke Wood and Jack Brooks, all of whom were loan players at the time they represented the club.

It has been rewarding to meet and talk with family members of the players, all of whom have given an invaluable insight into the lives, personality and character of their relatives. I am grateful to each of them for their contributions.

Without the help of the many people who have freely given their time I would not be able to publish this book. The gifted artist Dave Wallace has done a superb job in creating the image of the majestic New Road scoreboard for the dust jacket, while Clive O’Donnell, Mick Bishop and Andrew Thomas have my heartfelt thanks for their support, good humour and diligent research. Their findings have brought to light the fact that existing records were incorrect in several instances, and in respect of two players the details were completely wrong. At least one image of each player is also included, something hitherto missing from official records.

Gráinne Lenehan, the Marlborough College archivist, describes this type of research as ‘exquisitely rewarding’. She is right. Despite many hours of painstaking research, some of which takes you down a blind alley, there is always that nugget of information which ultimately surfaces and makes the outcome worthwhile.

Included are great Test cricketers, stalwarts of the Birmingham League, and those who excelled in their own professions or served their country with dignity, whether at sport, within their community or during times of conflict. Depictions of the latter are tinged with sadness because two of the players paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Special thanks go to Mike Passey, who wrote the foreword to the book but who sadly died earlier in 2023 and did not see its publication. I am grateful that his family has agreed that I can still include Mike’s words and am delighted to dedicate the book to his memory.

It is important that none of the players ever be forgotten. One of the 61, Geoffrey Tomkinson, wrote in the foreword to his book, Memorable Cricket Matches, that ‘perhaps one day a similar book may be compiled about the cricketers and cricket curiosities of the twentieth century…’. It has been written now. I hope you enjoy reading all about those players.

Tim Jones, Wolverhampton, 2023

Picture acknowledgement

Every attempt has been made to seek permission for copyright material used in this book. However, if we have inadvertently used copyright material without permission/acknowledgement we apologise and will make the necessary correction at the first opportunity.

AHMED

MEHRAJ AHMED – RIGHT-HAND BAT, RIGHT-ARM FAST/FAST-MEDIUM

Born: Birmingham, 5 January 1989

Portrait of Mehraj Ahmed.

County Championship match for Worcestershire, versus Sussex, Hove, 11, 12, 13 and 14 August 2009.

Innings: 2; Not out: 2; Runs: 0; Highest score: 0 not out; Caught: 0; Wickets: 0; Best bowling: 0-31.

Sussex won by eight wickets. Worcestershire were dismissed for 256 and no visiting batsman reached the half-century mark. Batting at number 11, Ahmed was nought not out as Luke Wright took 5-66 for Sussex, who then scored 280 in reply. They were indebted to wicket-keeper Andrew Hodd’s 73. Matt Mason (7-60) was the pick of the Worcestershire bowlers while Ahmed’s four overs cost 31 as he went wicketless.

A score 67 (out of a total of 235) from Steven Davies was the highlight of Worcestershire’s second innings, with Ahmed finishing nought not out once more. Sussex then made light work of the 211-run victory target, reaching it for the loss of just two wickets with a day to spare. Opener Chris Nash made a run-a-ball 100 not out and Ed Joyce 53. Ahmed went wicketless again, his five overs costing 42 runs.

Mehraj Ahmed was educated at Kingsbury School in Tamworth and was from a sporting family. Both his grandfather and father were keen bodybuilders, a tradition that Ahmed has maintained. He works as a private bodyguard, gym instructor and personal trainer and competes in weightlifting competitions across Europe. He is currently training to be a firefighter.

Ahmed working out at the gym.

Ahmed’s father, Altaf, represented Pakistan at volleyball. Sadly, ill health means that Altaf does not recall the details of when he played.

Altaf Ahmed, seated on the extreme right.

Ahmed joined Worcestershire after a trial and became a product of their academy. He had a strong physique and his raw talent was recognised by Worcestershire stalwart Stuart Lampitt, who was an admirer of his ability to bowl with great pace. Ahmed had also been friends with the Ali family since his school days and cites Kabir Ali’s father, Munir, and Moeen’s father, Shabbir, as strong influences and supporters of his early career.

Ahmed played Birmingham League cricket for Barnt Green, Walsall, West Bromwich Dartmouth, and Attock. He spoke very fondly of his time at Barnt Green, where he credits former Warwickshire seamer Dougie Brown and Worcestershire spinner Richard Illingworth for nurturing his talent.

Ahmed first represented Worcestershire with the under-17s, against Leicestershire under-17s at Rutland in 2005 – a single-innings match. He took 1-36 from his 10 overs. His best performance for the under-17s came in August of the same year but this time it was with the bat; he scored 66 (batting at number eight) against Huntingdonshire at The Parks, Godmanchester. This was also a single-innings game in which Worcestershire amassed 393. The game ended in a draw.

In June 2006, Ahmed made his 2nd XI trophy debut in the Zone C game against Warwickshire at Ombersley. It resulted in a 129-run defeat, with Moeen Ali scoring 107 for the visitors before he fell to a catch by Will Gifford off Ahmed’s bowling. In all, Ahmed played 20 matches in the competition from 2006 to 2009, with best figures of 3-14 in the game against Gloucestershire at Bristol in 2008.

In August 2006, Ahmed made his 2nd XI Championship debut in a drawn match against Kent at Canterbury. The Worcestershire side included Daryl Mitchell, who went on to have an outstanding first-class career, and James Taylor, who played Test cricket until a heart condition almost claimed his life and cut short his career. Ahmed’s best figures were 3-51 against Northamptonshire in August 2008 and 3-74 against Middlesex the following month.

In 2007, Worcestershire’s academy director Damian D’Oliveira recommended Ahmed for a place in the England under-19 squad. Ahmed subsequently made his debut against Derbyshire 2nd XI at The Copper Yard Ground, Denby Village on 6 September. The game ended in an eight-wicket victory. In the England fixture, Ahmed went wicketless but played in a side that included James Taylor, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Benny Howell and Sam Northeast, it was Stuart Meaker who caught his attention during that time. Ahmed told me, ‘I thought Meaker was going to be the next big thing. He could bowl very quickly on his day.’

Slightly better luck followed in his second game, when Ahmed claimed 1-57 from six overs in a two-wicket victory against Gloucestershire 2nd XI. A sign that his stock was rising was an item in the club’s annual report published early in 2008, which stated that ‘Moeen Ali, Mehraj Ahmed and Richard Jones were invited to a camp at the National Centre of Excellence made up of the most promising 62 young and emerging players in county cricket in late June.’

Ahmed took 4-56 in a friendly game for Worcestershire 2nd XI versus Cardiff University Centre of Cricketing Excellence in mid-April 2008, which suggested better things were to follow. On 5 May he made his List A debut in Worcestershire’s rain-affected home game against Glamorgan in the Friends Provident Trophy, which Worcestershire won by seven wickets, bowling opener David Hemp for 47 to finish with 1-34 from his three overs.

Ahmed in action during his Friends Provident Trophy debut.

Ahmed has very fond memories of his fledgling career at New Road and said that he always tried to bring an energy to the dressing room and motivate those around him. He gained a reputation for playing loud music. ‘I was given the nickname of Mini Kab (after Kabir Ali) and Gareth Batty called me Michael Jackson because of my love of music and my dance moves,’ he said.

‘I got on well with Simon Jones. We were kindred spirits [and] he became my mentor. We had both got into scrapes in our younger days but enjoyed each other’s company and as a result we would share a room whenever we travelled.

‘I was, though, a little wary of Vikram [Solanki], the captain at first. He didn’t like slacking so I made sure I was on time, well prepared and had clean kit. I had a lot of respect for him once I got over that initial uncertainty.’

Just two days after the Friends Provident game against Glamorgan, Ahmed made his first-class debut in the drawn match against Loughborough University Centre of Excellence at Chester Road, Kidderminster. In the first innings a catch to dismiss Alan Cope off Garth Batty’s bowling was followed by a first, first-class wicket when Michael Baer was caught by Moeen Ali for 51. Ahmed finished with the respectable figures of 1-28 from eight overs.

The second innings followed a similar pattern, with a second catch off Gareth Batty’s bowling to dismiss Matt Spriegel. This was followed by the wicket of Cope again, caught behind by Steven Davies without score.

It was not until the August of 2009 that Ahmed made his County Championship debut. He and Gareth Batty were the two changes to the side that had been beaten by Warwickshire in the previous round of fixtures. Alexei Kervezee and Richard Jones missed out.

I spoke to Ahmed’s former teammate, Gareth Andrew, about his bowling and he gave me an invaluable insight.

‘What a nice guy! He was very quick and could swing the ball both ways when he got it right. He was capable of a wonder spell then could not repeat it, which was hugely frustrating. I did not like to face him in the nets because he was too unpredictable, especially if he got one to swing in at the left-hander.

‘He had problems with his run-up and lost it at one point. Academy Director, Damian D’Oliveira even suggested he close his eyes to run in and visualise in his mind what he was doing… he did… and it came out well, so it became a running joke that he should do it in a match situation.’

The Worcestershire squad in 2008. Ahmed is standing at the back, third from the left.

The frustrations that Gareth Andrew articulated were borne out in The Sports Argus report of 13 July, which covered the Championship game at Hove.

‘The trouble for the Pears was [that] Mason could not bowl at both ends. Gareth Andrew persevered and finished with two wickets but Imran Arif and debutant Mehraj Ahmed were expensive, and with the pitch showing little signs of deterioration Sussex will fancy their chances of chasing anything around 250.’

Just two days prior to the game The Worcester News had reported that Ahmed would be leaving New Road at the end of the season.

Ahmed said, ‘It was a very difficult decision for me to go and ask Worcestershire if I could speak to other counties. I firmly believe that you only get one shot in life and you must make the most of what you are given. It would have been easy for me to stay in my comfort zone and take the money, but that is not the issue for me.

‘Since I spoke to Mark Newton (Worcestershire’s chief executive) about speaking to other clubs I have had quite a bit of interest from other counties, some that have already been reported and others that have not.

‘It was a little upsetting that all this has been made public in the way it has; it was never my intention to tout myself about through the press. I felt I wanted to explore my options and see what is available to me.’

I asked Ahmed to sum up how he viewed his career at 17 years of age.

‘I was clocked bowling at 87mph but a persistent intercostal injury resulted in breaks for injury, each lasting several weeks at a time. The intensity of first-team cricket was noticeable – it helped me to perform better. But in the seconds, with no crowd, you can just go through the motions.’

His former coach Steve Rhodes gave me his assessment.

‘I recall the game he played at Hove. He did not do too much with the ball and bowled a few no balls. He was a tough cookie and both Damian [D’Oliveira] and I felt that giving him a chance in the academy as a youngster would help develop him as a person. He had some real skiddy pace, albeit with a flat beamer every now and then.’

In March 2021 Ahmed married Aqsa Khan and as well as keeping fit and competing as a bodybuilder he enjoys his holidays, cars, eating out and going to the gym. He still has a zest for music, camping and hiking… especially in difficult weather.

ALLCHURCH

THOMAS ALLCHURCH – RIGHT-HAND BAT, RIGHT-ARM OFF-BREAK

Born: Lye, near Stourbridge, 24 April 1883

Died: Halesowen, 23 October 1934

Portrait of Tom Allchurch.

County Championship match for Worcestershire, versus Lancashire, War Memorial Ground, Amblecote, Stourbridge, 21, 23 and 24 August 1920.

Innings: 2; Not out: 0; Runs: 6; Highest score: 6; Caught: 1; Wickets: 5; Best bowling: 5-70.

Lancashire won by an innings and 99 runs. After electing to bat first the hosts were dismissed for 131, with Allchurch, batting at number four, caught by James Tyldesley for six. He was one of ‘Lol’ Cook’s six victims. Cook finished with figures of 6-33 from 20 overs.

Lancashire were bowled out for 298. Ernest Tyldesley was the mainstay of the innings, scoring 106, and with support from Harry Makepeace (72) put on 174 for the second wicket. A fine debut performance from Allchurch yielded figures of 5-70 from 14.3 overs which included a return catch from Lawrence Cook.

James Tyldesley, with 7-34, made light work of Worcestershire’s second innings, helping to dismiss them for just 68. Allchurch was one of his victims, being bowled without score.

Tom Allchurch was a Black Country man (born in Lye and not Old Swinford as some records state) and spent much of his life living, working and engaging in local activities in and around the Stourbridge area. He was the eldest son of Mary Ann (Heywood) and Thomas Allchurch, a coal miner. He had a younger brother, Sydney, a fine cricketer himself, who was born in 1890.

The 1901 census states that the family was living in Chapel Street, Lye and that 17-year-old Allchurch was listed as a schoolteacher who joined the profession under the ‘pupil–teacher scheme’ operated by Stourbridge Pupil-Teachers’ Centre. The pupil–teachers acted as teachers of younger children, learning from observation and practical application, while simultaneously completing their own educations.

In 1910 he married Ethel Harris and the census 12 months later shows he was living in Pedmore Road in Lye, his occupation being a schoolmaster. The 1921 census documents his three children, Geoffrey Thomas, born in 1912, Kathleen Muriel, born the following year, and Sidney, who was born in 1914 but sadly died just three months later.

In September 1911, The County Express reported that he was moving from Macefields Council School in Old Hill to take up an appointment as headmaster of Lye Church of England Schools. Both he and his wife supported local activities run by Lye and Christ Church Sunday Schools and the local music and drama society. Allchurch also acted as secretary for the annual Lye Garden Fete and in 1910 found time to referee the Stourbridge FC practice games between the ‘Stripes’ and the ‘Blues’.

By 1912, Allchurch was featuring for Stourbridge CC in the Birmingham League. In the game against Mitchells and Butlers at Amblecote in May he put in a fine performance, taking 5-66 from 19 overs as the visitors declared on 202-9. Allchurch then starred with the bat, scoring 82. However, Stourbridge were dismissed for 186 and lost by 16 runs.

Allchurch the cricketer – picture courtesy of the Dudley Chronicle.

After the end-of-season dinner in October, The County Express reported that ‘the Chairman presented to Mr T. Allchurch the bat offered by Mr Harvey Bryant [who had played for Worcestershire from 1923–1925] for the best average. Referring to the excellent displays given by Mr Allchurch, he said he had watched his cricket through the season and he had not given a dull moment in any of the matches.’

Allchurch’s cricket was curtailed in 1913, with the Dudley Chronicle reporting on 23 April in its season’s preview that ‘most of Stourbridge’s players will figure in the team, although Tom Allchurch will only be available for alternate matches owing to his scholastic duties.’

In 1914, Allchurch was appointed headteacher of Colley Lane Boys’ School in Halesowen, a post he held until he died in 1934. He continued playing for Stourbridge and on 30 May took 6-39 from 18 overs as Stourbridge beat Aston Unity by seven wickets. On 4 July he claimed 5-13 from just 6.2 overs in a victory over Handsworth Wood at their Browne’s Green Ground. Playing for Handswoth Wood was Harry Harper, who appears elsewhere in this book.

When cricket resumed following the war Allchurch had lost none of his talent. On 10 May 1919 he took 7-47 and completed the double by scoring 51 against Handsworth Wood as Stourbridge won by six wickets. The Sports Argus reported that ‘the outstanding feature was a fine all-round performance from Tom Allchurch’.

The following Saturday his excellent run of form continued when he finished with 6-25 in a 100-run victory against Mitchells and Butlers.

At age 36 Allchurch made his first-class debut for Worcestershire in the two-day match versus Gloucestershire at New Road starting on 23 June 1919. The reasons why this was not classed as a County Championship game are documented in the introduction to this book, but that aside, Allchurch made a fine debut scoring 51 before being stumped by Harry Smith off Alf Dipper’s bowling in a Worcestershire total of 201. The visitors were dismissed for 334, with Allchurch taking 4-76 from 25.2 overs. The game, like many others in 1919, ended in a draw.

Worcestershire versus Gloucestershire 1919. Tom Allchurch, standing, extreme left.

His second first-class outing came in the game against The Australian Imperial Forces on 18 and 19 July. The Australians, who included Bert Oldfield in their ranks, were far too strong for the home side. Jack Gregory took 7-56, while ‘Nip’ Pellew (195 not out) and Carl Willis (125) were the outstanding contributors with the bat in an innings and 203-run victory. Allchurch’s contribution was the wicket of John Murray but at the cost of 114 runs.

On 12 June 1920 Stourbridge’s game against Old Hill at Amblecote, was described in the Dudley Chronicle as ‘an attractive fixture with fine batting and bowling from the home team’. Opening the batting, Allchurch scored 52 and shared a stand of 87 with Albert Robinson, who had made his County Championship debut for Worcestershire the previous month. For good measure, Allchurch took 4-15 from 15 overs as Old Hill closed on 98-9 and clung on for the draw.

For his County Championship debut Allchurch was one of three changes to the Worcestershire side that had lost by nine wickets to Warwickshire earlier in the week. Arthur Jewell, Maurice Foster and John Coventry made way as Ernie Bale returned to keep wicket with Tom Clare and Allchurch also included. In the week following his County Championship debut Allchurch returned to action with Stourbridge, and in spite of taking 8-57 from 20.3 overs to dismiss Old Hill for 116, Stourbridge were defeated by 14 runs.

The 1921 season saw Allchurch appointed captain of Stourbridge. However, this was reliant on him being available despite his school commitments. Nonetheless, on 7 May The Sports Argus described him as ‘someone who has done yeoman service for the club and has a good knowledge of the game, and who could command the respect of all the playing members’. He also found time to continue his involvement in the local community, taking part in the bowling tournament at The Ensign Club in Wordsley.

On 16 May, Stourbridge were dismissed for 74 against Kidderminster, Worcestershire’s J.B. ‘Bunny’ Higgins taking 8-39. Stourbridge stormed back to bowl out Kidderminster for just 43, with Allchurch putting in a fine captain’s performance of 5-24.

Another excellent all-round performance followed on 9 July as Smethwick were all out for 196 (Allchurch 5-48), but disappointingly, Stourbridge fell 54 runs short despite 41 from the captain.

In the match against Walsall on 16 July, Allchurch was once more in the thick of the action. Closing on 242-9 he scored 67 and took 4-33 as Walsall were dismissed for 93 in reply.

Allchurch’s final season of League cricket came in 1922 and on 18 May he took 5-36 against Dudley at Stourbridge. The home side were dismissed for 207, but a strong Dudley side, which included Worcestershire players Percy Blewitt, Percy Jeavons, Jack Wilkinson (who appear elsewhere in this book), Les Gale and Bertie Stevens, were skittled for 82. The Dudley Chronicle provided an understated comment describing Allchurch’s bowling as ‘very sound’.

The staff and boys of Colley Lane 1928–29. Tom Allchurch is seated in the middle. Picture courtesy of Peter Barnsley.

Now living in Clent, Tom Allchurch continued his career at Colley Lane. In June 1934 his headteacher’s report made for impressive reading. It stated that ‘in addition to winning the championship of the Halesowen and District Schools’ Football League, the boys had also won the Halesowen Charity Cup. To achieve the double in the same year was unique in the history of local school football and as the boys are the holders of the Clifford Bloomer Cup for the greatest number of successes in the local charity sports, the past year had been the most eventful in the school’s history.’ The boys had also been instrumental in raising money for local charities. Sadly, Allchurch died in October of the same year at the Cottage Hospital, Halesowen.

‘Standard VII’ in 1930. Tom Allchurch is standing back row, extreme left. Picture courtesy of Peter Barnsley.

BAYLIS

EDWARD GEORGE BAYLIS – RIGHT-HAND BAT, RIGHT-ARM SLOW/MEDIUM

Born: Kidderminster, Worcestershire, 27 October 1919

Died: Pershore, Worcestershire, 20 December 1979

Portrait of George Baylis © British Library Board.

County Championship match for Worcestershire, versus Leicestershire, Aylestone Road, Leicester, 1, 3 and 4 July 1939.

Innings: 2; Not out: 0; Runs: 0; Highest score: 0; Caught: 0; Did not bowl.

Worcestershire won by 24 runs. After opting to bat the visitors were dismissed for 225 with Charles Palmer top-scoring with 53. Haydon Smith claimed 5-52 for Leicestershire. This included the wicket of Baylis (batting at number nine) who was caught by Jim Sperry without score. But 5-75 from Reg Perks restricted Leicestershire’s reply to 197, a score that would have been much lower without opener Les Berry’s 79.

In their second innings, Worcestershire’s opener Eddie Cooper struck a magnificent 184 not out and Harold ‘Doc’ Gibbons 97, which allowed their side to declare on 357-6. Batting at number seven, Baylis bagged a pair when he was bowled by William Flamson.

The home side pushed the visitors all the way but fell short of their victory target of 386 by just 24 runs. There were half-centuries for Maurice Tompkin (82), Michael Packe (56) and Laurence Thursting (71). Dick Howorth, the pick of the Worcestershire bowlers, claimed 5-103 from his 26 overs.

Record books incorrectly state that Edward George Bayliss is the cricketer who played for Worcestershire against Leicestershire in 1939. Research has shown that he is not this player, because the bona fide player only has one letter ‘s’ in his surname. In addition, his family has confirmed a date of birth and death that differ from existing records, and the Birmingham Daily Post of 3 July 1939 refers to Baylis as ‘a Droitwich batsman’ – he lived in Droitwich, not Bromsgrove as some accounts suggest.

George Baylis, or ‘Gedree’ as he was widely known, was educated at Bromsgrove High School and was a good footballer, playing for Droitwich Old Boys, one of the strongest junior football clubs in Worcestershire.

Baylis’s grandfather, George Baylis, was a farmer at Howrings Farm in Droitwich before moving to Berry Hill Farm, also in Droitwich. Baylis’s father, George Edward Baylis, was also a farmer, and a butcher, in High Street, Droitwich, and was married to Ellen Lloyd. The couple had seven other children, John, born in 1921, Mary Eleanor, born in 1924, Philip, born in 1927, Robert, born in 1929, Richard Lloyd, born in 1930, Jean Ann, born in 1932, and Janet, born 1938.

Interestingly, Mary married a local man, Roland Oliver, whose son Michael, based at New House Farm in Elmley Lovett near Droitwich, trained the horse West Tip, who – ridden by Richard Dunwoody – won the Grand National in 1986.

Kelly’s Directory of Worcestershire for 1932 indicates that Baylis was working for the family business, J.H. Baylis Haulage Contractors, suppliers of sand, gravel and ashes. It was in 1937 that his prowess as a cricketer began to shine through while playing for Old Hill CC in the Birmingham League. On 16 June 1937 he made his debut for Worcestershire 2nd XI in the two-day fixture against Warwickshire seconds at New Road, a 215-run defeat. Syd Shepherd and Bert Edwards played in the same match and appear elsewhere in this book.

On 26 June Baylis made 60 playing for Old Hill against Dudley at Tipton Road, Dudley, the home side making 195, their highest score of the season. Old Hill replied with 177-8. In its report, The Sports Argus said that ‘The draw was chiefly attributable to E.G. Baylis, whose innings of 60 should give a source of satisfaction to the Haden Hill side.’

In the game against Walsall at Gorway on 31 July, Baylis was one of ‘Tich’ Freeman’s five victims (5-22) as Old Hill were dismissed for just 70, although Walsall got home by the narrow margin of two wickets. Freeman was a legend of Kent cricket and remains the only bowler ever to dismiss 300 batsmen in a season, when in 1928 he claimed 304 wickets.

Baylis went on to play eight more 2nd XI games for Worcestershire before the war, with his best performance being 52 in the drawn game against Warwickshire at Edgbaston on 8 and 9 August 1938. The Birmingham Gazette reported that ‘there was splendid batting by E.G. Baylis and R. Dovey, both of Old Hill. Baylis gave the better display compiling 52 with the help of two sixes and six fours in 40 minutes.’ The Sports Argus in late 1938 stated that Baylis had signed amateur forms for West Bromwich Albion FC.

George Baylis, standing third from the right, in the Old Hill team from the late 1930s. Seated second from the right is Bert Edwards, who appears elsewhere in this book, and on the extreme right is Charles Palmer, who played 66 matches for Worcestershire from 1938–1949.

The 1939 census indicates that Baylis, who was living with his brother in Pershore, was ‘a lorry driver and general worker, connected with same’, who also worked on the family’s Berry Hill Farm and later ran a business as a haulage contractor. Scores of 18, 34, 0, 2, 3, 28, 8 and 25 for Old Hill resulted in a surprise selection for the Worcestershire first team to play Leicestershire in July 1939. One feasible explanation in the Birmingham Daily Gazette was that ‘Peter Jackson was required by his Birmingham League side, Old Hill, and was unavailable’. It was the only change to the Worcestershire side that had drawn with Nottinghamshire in the previous round of fixtures.

The report in The Evening Despatch of 4 July captured the unfortunate moment of Baylis’s second-innings dismissal: ‘During Worcestershire’s innings today, there was a little bowling sensation. In Flamson’s second over, Charles Palmer and E.G. Baylis fell to successive deliveries, the latter bagging a pair in his first County match.’ The Leicester Evening Mercury of the same date reported the action in more detail: ‘Palmer had his off stump knocked back attempting an off drive and Flamson’s next delivery spreadeagled the newcomer’s wicket.’

Leicestershire, who were still looking for their first points of the season, at one point gave themselves a good chance of victory. But from a strong position of needing 149 to win with eight second-innings wickets in hand, they fell apart. Worcestershire toiled hard for the victory, especially as captain Allan White was unable to take the field. Wicket-keeper Hugo Yarnold had taken a blow to the eye and was absent, and makeshift wicket-keeper Phil King had to keep wicket one-handed due to an injury to his left hand, which was heavily bandaged. That said, he did a magnificent job, with two stumpings and two catches. The following day, the Leicester Evening Mercury lamented the defeat asking ‘Where is the fighting spirit?’.

Old Hill CC, 1939. Baylis is standing third from the right. Third from the left is Peter Jackson (Worcestershire CCC 1929–1950) and seated second from the right is Bert Edwards. Courtesy of Al Ruffles, Old Hill CC.

After the war, Baylis continued to play for Worcestershire 2nd XI and in July 1946 scored 101 not out against Warwickshire. Between 1950, when he sometimes captained the side, and 1952, he played intermittently for the seconds, his most notable scores in that period being 96 versus Gloucestershire in 1950, 80 versus Derbyshire in 1951 and 61 versus Warwickshire in 1952.

Baylis represented the North of the County against Worcestershire in April 1947 and in August hit 60 as Old Hill closed on 223-8 in response to Moseley’s 237-4. The game ended in a tight draw.

In June of that year Baylis married Pauline Margaret McCubbin, who was from Woodford Wells in Essex. They had a son, David Edward George, who was born in 1949.

In 1947 Baylis had begun to represent sides