William Berry (cricketer)

William Ewart Berry (12 October 1897 – 24 April 1949) was an English cricketer who played for Somerset in one match in 1926.[1] Until the publication of a book on Somerset cricketers in 2017, Berry was believed to be "Wilfred Ernest Berry", born in Hertford on the same date and with an unknown date of death in 1951.[2] He was in fact born in Bridgwater, Somerset, where he also died.

William Berry
Personal information
Full name
William Ewart Berry
Born(1897-10-12)12 October 1897
Bridgwater, Somerset, England
Died24 April 1949(1949-04-24) (aged 51)
Bridgwater, Somerset, England
BattingUnknown
BowlingGooglies
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1926Somerset
Only First-class26 May 1926 Somerset v Hampshire
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 1
Runs scored 1
Batting average
100s/50s –/–
Top score 1*
Balls bowled 24
Wickets 0
Bowling average
5 wickets in innings
10 wickets in match
Best bowling
Catches/stumpings –/–
Source: CricketArchive, 20 August 2008

Berry made one first-class appearance for Somerset during the 1926 season, playing against Hampshire at the United Services Recreation Ground in Portsmouth. In the only innings in which he batted, as a tailender, he scored one run, and finished the innings not out. Berry bowled a total of four overs in the match, conceding 34 runs.

Life and career edit

One of five sons of a Bridgwater grocer, Berry was educated at West Buckland School and followed his father into the grocery business.[1] He played club cricket for Bridgwater Cricket Club as a "googly bowler".[1] His twin brother John Henry Berry also played cricket for Bridgwater.[3] A diabetic, he killed himself at his place of business in 1949 when facing a worsening of his condition.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Stephen Hill; Barry Phillips (18 September 2017). Somerset Cricketers, 1919–1939 (2017 ed.). Halsgrove. pp. 147–148. ISBN 978-0-85704-306-1.
  2. ^ "Wilfred Berry". www.cricketarchive.com. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  3. ^ "Director Dead in Office - Inquest Adjourned at Bridgwater". Somerset County Herald. No. 5130. 30 April 1949. p. 6. Retrieved 15 August 2019 – via British Newspaper Archive.