Lowerhouse CC during World War I

The AGM reports offer a poignant and very eloquent insight into how WW1 was affecting Lowerhouse CC and the numbers of members who went to war. The following are extracts:

1915: “I cannot close this report without referring to the great struggle in which our country is engaged and also to point out that a good percentage of our players and members have responded to the call of duty by joining His Majesty’s Forces. I am sorry to say that one of our Vice Presidents, Lieut. Alan A. Drew lost his life while doing his duty at the Battle of Neauve Chapelle. “ There were at that time 42 serving men including A and J Waterworth.

1916: There were now 70 members serving in the forces

1917: “The Committee at the beginning of the season arranged a few matches and to all players who took part in these we tender our thanks. Matches are being arranged again for the coming season and we appeal to all old players and also young ones to help all they can to keep the game going until the boys who are now playing a far sterner game come home again. Out of our membership we have over 80 serving in this great world struggle which is going on and I hope and trust that before long a world’s peace will be established. To the parents and relatives of those who have fallen I tender the committee’s sympathy”.

1918: “The Committee are glad that this World’s War is now at an end and hope that now things will be brighter. They are sorry to say that they will feel the loss of one of the best of Cricketers in the person of W. Whittaker as we believe he is among the missing.”

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