|
Winterbourne Family History Online... |
|
|
Harry Smith - Born at Fishponds, 21 May 1891, died at Downend, 12 November 1937. Harry played for Frenchay Cricket Club since he was little more than a boy. He went on to score 13,413 runs in 402 games of First-Class Cricket for Gloucestershire, and played for England against the West Indies in June 1928. More details found on the InterNet... |
|
|
Two photographs of Harry taken with his team mates at the Frenchay Cricket Club...
1911 1920 |
|
|
The following extract is taken from the Frenchay CC Centenary Book published in 1946... Harry Smith A player who it is safe to say will never be forgotten as long as cricket is played at Frenchay, is the late Harry Smith, a man of sterling worth both on and off the field, whose death in 1937 at the early age of 46, was deeply regretted not only at Frenchay, but wherever the game is played. Without question Harry Smith was the finest all-round cricketer Frenchay ever produced, and from village cricket he progressed to county status, playing for Gloucestershire for many years and also gaining Test Match honours. He was a fine batsman and a good bowler, but it was as a wicket-keeper that he will be chiefly remembered. He was also a first-class Association footballer and played for Bolton Wanderers as an inside forward in the First Division till an injury brought his career to all early close. He played for Frenchay when little more than a boy, doing extremely well with bat and ball as well as behind the stumps over a considerable period before he was "discovered" in 1912 for Gloucestershire after one particularly good display for his Club. Succeeding Jack Board, he "kept" for the county with such success as to be pronounced at one period as the best wicket-keeper in the country. Among his many feats was in 1927, when in four successive innings he allowed only one bye, while opponents compiled 1,374 runs for 23 wickets. Harry "kept" for England in the first Test Match against the West Indies at Lords in 1928, and but for the fact that Strudwick was at his best, would undoubtedly have gained other Test honours. He played for the Players against the Gentlemen in 1924. For several seasons he scored over 1,000 runs for Gloucestershire, and altogether compiled more than 13,000 in first-class Cricket, including ten centuries, two being made in one match against Hampshire. It was a great blow to the county when in 1932 he was unable to play owing to ill-health, and though in 1935 he turned out again he could not stand the strain. His popularity was evidenced by the fact that his benefit produced £1,150, the match being against Northampton at Greenbank. Quiet and unassuming, always cheerful, and a thorough sportsman, Harry Smith has left a fragrant memory. Captains Of the Frenchay 1st XI. 1870 Dr WG Grace; 1880-81 RF Wright; 1882 J Fox; 1883 E Browning; 1884-1888 EJ Taylor; 1891 J Fox; 1892 AW Nash; 1897 J Fox; 1904-1908 HE Hibbs, 1909 A Greenway; 1910-1911 HE Hibbs; 1912-1913 Harry Smith; 1914-1921 HE Hibbs; 1922-1928 WH Lovell; 1929 EN Plaster; 1930-1931 E Matthews; 1932 EN Plaster; 1933-1935 PH Hazard; 1936-1946 Roy Sharpe. |
Harry behind the wicket Harry's father, George, and Harry's brother, Albert Isaac, also played for Frenchay. Bert was a high scorer of runs and saved many a match from defeat. |
