Tag Archives: Mitcham Cricket Club

Harry Leonard Gauntlett

Born in 1881, in the 1939 electoral register he lived at 27 Mitcham Park with his wife Louisa, and his occupation was listed as the director of a soap manufacturer, which was R.F. White & Co.

In 1938 he was a councillor on the Mitcham Borough Council in the South Ward.

He died 28th June 1953, and left £18,238 2s. to his widow.

He was chairman of the Mitcham Cricket Club and was succeeded by Stephen Chart.

From the 1954 Yearbook of the Mitcham Cricket Club

H. L. GAUNTLETT

It is not so much because he loved cricket that H. L. Gautlett became President of The Mitcham Cricket Club, it was rather that, when the death of Mr. S. L. Gaston left the Club without a man at the helm, it came naturally to him to lend his stocky, solid support.

The Club needed his help, and he judged it worthy of his support.

Once installed as President. Mr. Gauntlett was not content to be just a figurehead. He brought to the service of the Club a very strong sense of right and wrong. The Club respected his attitude and was in turn respected for it. His death leaves the Club indebted to one entitled to his place in a long line of worthy Presidents.

1954 : Stephen Chart becomes Mitcham Cricket Club President

Norwood News – Friday 26 February 1954

Col. Chart is president of Mitcham C C

LIEUT.-COL STEPHEN CHART, a member of Mitcham Cricket Club for 50 years, was elected club president at the annual meeting. He succeeds Mr. H. L. Gauntlett, who died last year.

Describing the cricket club as the “most important institution in Mitcham.” Col. Chart said that he had an advantage over several of his predecessors “in that I have on one or two occasions played for the club.”

During the rest of the election of officers it was mainly a case of the old bands carrying on. Reelected were E. J. Dobinson (chairman). J. H. Stainforth (secretary), S. J. Pillinger (treasurer) — for the 27th year — and B. Bullock (match secretary).

Team captains are E. J. Ide (1st XI), G. Brodie (2nd XI), T. W. instance (3rd XI) and S. L. Smith (Wednesday XI). F. Cole is team secretary.

Surprise of the elections was the appointment of the opening bowler, R. S. Culmer, as vice-captain to the first team. At the previous annual meeting Culmer had said he would not be playing regular cricket. He forecast a gradual retirement from the game, Presumably he will now appear more frequently.

Collections on the Green during the season amounted to £218 with a further £178 from the loan of deck chairs. But the rising costs of the game are still hitting the club and a campaign to recruit honorary members is being launched. Each member of the club will try to enrol two.

The Harwood Trust bat – awarded to the most improved player under 25 – went to 18-year-old Colin Morgan, the opening batsman who had an average of 62 during cricket week.