by The Professor » Sat Apr 08, 2017 10:22 am
On this day in 1883 Cricketer, academic and soldier Richard Keigwin was born.
On many occasions I have highlighted Cricketers who have covered many different sporting disciplines, Keigwin was a very talented sportsman in a number of fields but also achieved a lot in the sphere of academia.
Keigwin was born in Essex but did not let that stop him from going to Clifton College - one of the more renowned institutions at the time. It was here that he first showed sporting excellence- representing, and eventually captaining, the colleges' Rackets team.
He went on to Cambridge University where he studied Classics and Modern Languages. Whilst there he excelled at tennis at a time where he competed regularly against Tony Wilding, who would go on to win Wimbledon. He also represented the University at cricket, rackets, football and hockey.
Keigwin turned out for the MCC due to his prowess with his University side and would go on to play for Essex and Gloucestershire.
During the war he was stationed on HMS Indomitable off the coast of Belgium and played a key role in the defence of Denmark, where he settled after the war.
After the war he founded a cricket team in Denmark and organised visiting teams such as the MCC, Leicestershire and Worcestershire to turn out against them. He took to translating texts from Danish into English.
He died in Suffolk in 1972.
"It has been said of the unseen army of the dead, on their everlasting march, that when they are passing a rural cricket ground the Englishman falls out of the ranks for a moment to look over the gate and smile."