Each year, Derbyshire County Cricket Club honours those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in all conflicts by the laying of wreaths in a variety of locations around the county.
Today marks 100 years since the end of the First World War. During the war, six Derbyshire cricketers, and one player expected to play for the county in 1915, lost their lives.
Captain Frank Miller Bingham was killed in action on 22nd May 1915, aged 40, and is honoured at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium. Bingham played in one match for Derbyshire in 1896.
Lance Corporal Henry (Harry) George Blacklidge died from dysentery in Amara, Mesopotamia – now Iraq – on 23rd May 1917 aged 32 and is honoured at the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq. Blacklidge had played 7 first class games for Surrey between 1908 and 1913 and was appointed coach to Derbyshire’s newly-formed cricket nursery in 1914 and was due to play for the county when qualified but was prevented by the outbreak of war.
Charles Barnett Fleming – rank unknown – played one match for Derbyshire in 1907. He died of wounds in Grevillors, France on 22nd September 1018 aged 31. Fleming played one match for Derbyshire in 1907.
Captain Geoffrey Laird Jackson was killed in action at Arras, Belgium on 9th April 1917 aged 23 and is honoured at the Highland Cemetery, Raclincourt, Pas de Calais, France. Jackson played 4 matches for Derbyshire between 1912 and 1914. A brother and cousin both also played for Derbyshire.
Arthur Marsden – rank unknown – died in London on 31st July 1916 from wounds received in The Somme, aged 35. He played one match for Derbyshire in 1910.
Charles Niel Newcombe – rank unknown – was killed in action in Fleuraix, France on 27th December 1915, aged 24. He played one match for Derbyshire in 1910.
Captain Guy Denis Wilson – was killed in action in Camrai, France on 30th November 1917, his 35th birthday. Wilson played two matches for Derbyshire in 1902 and 1905.
The Royal British Legion has created a website entitled “Every One Remembered” and for those former Derbyshire cricketers listed – Frank Bingham, Henry Blacklidge (Coach), Guy Wilson and Geoffrey Jackson – a short message has been added to their individual profile.
The message reads; From everyone associated with Derbyshire County Cricket Club, now and in the past, we thank you for your sacrifice – we will remember them…
