Club Honours Leicestershire's Wartime Soldiers
Fri 10 Nov 2023
67 members of Leicestershire County Cricket Club's players and staff who served in World War 1 and World War 2, six of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice, have been permanently commemorated with the unveiling of a new plaque in the Club's Memorial Garden.
The plaque was added to the garden at Uptonsteel County Ground ahead of Armistice Day to remember the service and sacrifice given by Leicestershire players and staff across two of the world's most devastating wars.
Current players and coaching staff were in attendance to pay their respects during their return to winter training this week.
Each of the 67 names were involved in the Armed Forces during the conflicts in varying capacities, including Leicestershire CCC’s most eminent soldier, General Sir John Sharp, KCB, MC and Bar.
Leicestershire’s all-time leading run-scorer, Les Berry, who served in the RAF, and all-time highest wicket-taker, William Astill, Captain of The Leicestershire Regiment, are among those honoured.
Sadly, six of the Club’s players never made it home “ with Captain Peter Ralph Cherrington, Arthur Davis, William Odell MC, Major Charles Packe, Albert Shipman, and Joseph Surman all killed in battle or in hospital as a result of their injuries.
The commemorative plaque and poppy wreath now adorn the Memorial Garden, which was opened at the Curzon Road end ahead of the 2022 season, with supporters welcomed to sit in the garden for a period of reflection all year round.
