THE OLD HULMEIANS LACROSSE CLUB 1914
In the Lacrosse Season 1913-1914 the Old Hulmeians Lacrosse Club were North of England Division 1 Champions, they beat Heaton Mersey in the North of England Senior Flags Final by 9 goals to 6 and beat Lee, the South of England Champions, in the English Championship and Iroquois Cup Final by 21 goals to 2. Truly All England Champions. The advent of the First World War suspended competition until 1919-1920 and the team would never play together again.
I have played for the Old Hulmeians Lacrosse Club (now Brooklands Hulmeians Lacrosse Club)since I was 13 years of age and, after I left School, was "Hon Treas" for more years than I care to remember. Now in my 72nd year the 2018-2019 season was the last playing season of my career and I feel privileged to have been a member for so many years with so many Old Hulmeians friends. The bonds I have forged must have been the same for the members of the Club pre 1914 and for some of the 1914 players this would be their last season t00, but for a very different reason. One can only wonder at how the surviving Club members after the war must have felt when looking at photographs taken when they felt invincible, to have so many friends now absent.
The majority of the team joined
the forces at the earliest opportunity and it
is interesting to note how many received a
commission and were decorated for valour.
It is also poignant to note that a third of
the team were killed.
Wilfred Alston Hobbins (Capt.)
Age 33
Wilfred was born in Exeter, Devon, but at an early
age the family moved to Manchester and in 1891 was
living at Wellington Road, Withington, with father
Charles,the Secretary of a Life Insurance Company,
mother Annie and five brothers and sisters. On leaving
school Wilfred went to work as an insurance clerk.
In 1909 Wilfred married Susan Fox, elder sister of
Charles and Gilbert Fox, and in 1911 was employed as
an insurance manager living at Appleton Road, Hale
with wife Susan and one servant.
On the outbreak of war Wilfred obtained a commission in the Lancashire Fusiliers, being
appointed Captain. In 1917 he was promoted acting Lt. Colonel and in November of that year
was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. His citation reads "By skilful leading he brought
his battalion into action at a most opportune time. He behaved with the utmost resource against
counter-attacks and rallied the remnants of the front line when, being unsupported, he was
compelled to withdraw." Wilfred was later wounded and admitted to hospital in England
suffering from shell-shock and wounds.
After the war Wilfred became a sugar broker with business in Canada and the USA, visiting
those countries in most years up to 1938, by trans Atlantic passenger liner. However it appears
that the business eventually foundered as Wilfred was declared bankrupt in 1939. The Second
World War probably came at an opportune moment for Wilfred as he joined the RAF in 1940 in
the Administrative and Special Duties Branch. Following his release from the RAF in December
1945, Wilfred applied for a discharge from his bankruptcy. An order was made that the
discharge be suspended for two years on the following grounds: " a) that his assets are not of a
value equal to ten shillings in the pound on the amount of his unsecured liabilities and b) that the
bankrupt has brought on, or contributed to, his bankruptcy by rash and hazardous speculations,
or by unjustifiable extravagance in living, or by gambling, or by culpable neglect of his business
affairs".
Wilfred died in 1952 aged 71. An obituary was published in the Manchester Guardian on 21
August 1952:
"The announcement of the death of Wilfred Alston Hobbins, which occurred at his home at Alderley Edge yesterday, will revive a host of memories for his many friends at home and overseas, especially in Canada and the United States. Before the 1914-18 war he made a great name in lacrosse, playing for the Old Hulmeians when they held an almost unbeatable record. he was elected captain of the All-England team, first from a position on the attack and later when he was playing on the defence. When war came he volunteered in August, 1914, and quickly earned promotion. As Lieutenant-Colonel he commanded a Territorial battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers and was awarded the D.S.O. at the third Battle of Ypres where he was wounded. as a result of this wound and subsequent illness he was much crippled, yet between the wars business took him on long journeys overseas and for some years he held a high position in Montreal. In 1939 he obtained an administrative post in the Royal Air Force, and rose to the rank of Squadron Leader, serving with distinction to the end of the war.
In spite of increasing physical disability he became secretary at the Lyme Green settlement for Paraplegics, and for a few years did much to help in developing that organisation. Endowed with physical and moral courage to a truly remarkable degree, Wilfred Hobbins, with his devoted wife, met life's problems with enviable gaiety and great faith. A natural charm of manner, coupled with intense interest in human problems, brought him friendships from all walks of life. Those who mourn him find solace in treasured memories of a greathearted man."
James Arthur Barber
Age 35
James "Achi" Barber was for many years the Bursar
at the school and during the war was the officer in
charge of the School Cadet Force.
His nickname no doubt came from the Gallipoli
Campaign and the heights of "Achi Baba" which were
an objective of the Allied Forces.
In 1911 he was living at 30 Grosvenor Road, Whalley
Range with wife Edith and son Norman aged 4, as
Secretary and Receiver to the Governors of the Hulme
Grammar School, Manchester, a position he held until
retirement.
James died in 1965 aged 86.
His son Norman also played lacrosse for the Old Hulmeians, and also represented county and
country. He was for many years chairman of the Old Hulmeians Lacrosse Club and Fixtures
Secretary of the North of England Lacrosse Association. Norman was awarded an MBE in 1956.
George Frederick Buckland
Age 30
In 1911 the three Buckland brothers were living at 82
Seymour Grove with father James, cashier with an
Egyptian Cotton Merchants, mother Mary and elder
sister Beatrice. George was employed as a bank clerk.
In 1914 he enlisted in the The 3rd Public Schools
Battalion, 20th Royal Fusiliers, and saw service in
France being wounded twice. He was commissioned
2nd Lieut on 4th April 1917 but in November 1917 was
reported wounded and prisoner of war.
Following repatriation George married Frances
Newman in 1920. George died on 28 January 1937
aged 53.
Herbert Buckland
Age 28
In 1911 Herbert (Bert) Buckland was employed as an
assistant buyer for a cotton goods merchants and
shipping company. In 1914 he enlisted in the 20th
Royal Fusiliers , the Public Schools Battalion. On 14
November 1915 the Battalion proceeded to France
and saw action on the Western Front.
Bert was promoted to Lance Corporal during his time
with the Battalion. Sadly he was killed in action on 20
July 1916 at High Wood with 5 fellow Old Hulmeians
that day including Ernest Shorrocks, the brother of
Henry Shorrocks below.
After the war Whalley Range Cricket Club purchased
a plot of land jointly with the Old Hulmeians
Association which became the Old Hulmeians
Memorial Ground. Bert was also a member
of Whalley Range and is remembered on the war
memorial in the pavilion.
Ronald Buckland
Age 25
In 1911 Ronald was employed as a clerk with a Grey
Cloth Cotton Agency. He enlisted in the 20th Royal
Fusiliers, Public Schools Battalion but does not
appear to have gone overseas until after 1915.
At some stage he transferred to the Royal Garrison
Artillery and survived the War.
In 1921 Ronald married Polly Elkington. He died in
1956 aged 67.
Albert Frederick Cooper
Age 24
In 1911 Albert was living at 108 Lansdowne Road,
West Didsbury with father Frederick, cashier at a
Manchester Cotton and Woollen Goods merchant, and
Mother Mary. Albert was employed as a bank clerk
with The District Bank.
Albert enlisted in the 20th Royal Fusiliers, The
Public Schools Battalion, in 1914 and proceeded to
France on 14th November 1915. He was wounded in
1916 by shrapnel when a shell exploded near to a
working party he was with.
He obtained a commission in the Middlesex Regiment
but on 9th May 1918 died of wounds at 3rd
Australian Casualty Clearing Station.
Charles Henry Fox
Age 26
In 1911 the Fox brothers were living at 30 Demesne
Road, Whalley Range, with father Charles Henry,
a Dried Fruits and Canned Goods Merchant, mother
Sarah, an older brother and two younger sisters.
Charles was employed as a salesman for a Dried
Fruits and Canned Goods Merchant.
Charles obtained a commission with the 2/6th
Manchester Regiment on 31 October 1914 and was
appointed temporary Captain in 1915. He proceeded
overseas to France on 6 August 1917 and was
promoted Captain on 31 March 1918. After the war
Charles returned home but sadly died in a nursing
home on 14th April 1923 aged 35, following an
operation.
Probate was granted to Charles Henry Fox, father,
effects £3,037 3s.
Gilbert Wheaton Fox
Age 24
In 1911 Gilbert was employed as a clerk at a Shippers
and Merchants office.
Like his elder brother Charles, Gilbert obtained a
commission in the 2/6 Manchester Regiment and was
appointed temporary Lieutenant on 1 August 1915.
He proceeded overseas to France on 5 May 1917 and
was promoted Captain on 10 April 1918. He was
awarded a Military Cross for "conspicuous gallantry
when in charge of his company and the troops on his
right gave way he reorganised his line and brought
enfilade fire to bear, thereby breaking up the enemy's
attack. His personal example of great courage and
disregard of danger gave the utmost confidence to
fatigued troops".
On his return from the war Gilbert married Mildred Noel Blamey, a sister of a fellow Old
Hulmeian, in 1920. Gilbert died in 1952 aged 63.
Harold Anyon Linfoot
Age 19
In 1911 Harold was at school and living at 37
Hawthorn Grove, Heaton Moor, with father Joseph, a
Paint Manufacturer, mother Emily, elder sister Ethel
and elder brother Gerald. On leaving school he went
to Manchester University and joined the Officer
Training Corps. In November 1914 he obtained a
commission as a 2nd Lieut in the 7 Cheshire Battalion.
Promoted to Lt and acting Captain, he proceeded with
the Battalion to France on 9 September 1916.
Promoted further to acting Major, Harold was
awarded the Military Cross, Distinguished Service
Order and the Italian Medal of Merit.
His citation for the D.S.O. reads "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was acting
2nd in command of his battalion and followed the attack with the rear companies. On arriving at
the first objective while fighting was still in progress, he rushed a dug-out containing four
machine-guns, capturing the guns and teams. He then moved along the line, under continuous
shell fire and sniping, organising the first objective and the further advance. Throughout the
action he sent back full and accurate information, and his example and leadership were of the
greatest service." It is perhaps unsurprising to learn he was the team's First Home!
Harold's father had been an industrial chemist and it appears Harold also entered that
profession. In 1923 he married Eileen Jamieson and later moved to London. Transatlantic
passenger lists for 1937 and 1948 describe him as a Chemist and Director. Harold died in Blyth,
Suffolk in 1979, aged 84.
Alfred Merchant
Age 31
In 1901 Alfred was living at 18 Chatham Grove,
Withington with father William, a millinery agent,
mother Sarah and five brothers and sisters. Aged 18
he had left school and was working as a clerk in an
accountant's office. By 1911 the family had moved to
38 Reynard Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy and Alfred
was continuing to work as an accountant.
In 1915 he joined the Manchester University OTC and
obtained a commission in the Lancashire Fusiliers, in
April 1917 he was promoted temporary lieutenant. On
11 July 1917 he married Beatrice Taylor and must
have proceeded to France shortly afterwards.
In March 1918 he was reported missing but managed to fight his way back to his battalion after
5 days. He was reported wounded and missing again on 9 April 1918 and subsequently
presumed killed in action.
Alfred was a county lacrosse player and had held the office of assistant General Secretary of the
Old Hulmeians Association for several years.
Henry Shorrocks
Age 34
In 1891 Henry was living at 47 Keppel Road, Chorlton
-cum-Hardy, with father James, a cashier, mother
Lucy and his two older brothers and older sister. In
1901 Henry had moved to London and was working
as a solicitor's clerk. Returning to Manchester he
married Violet Hindle in 1904 and in 1911 was a
partner in a firm of solicitors, living in Hale, Cheshire,
with wife Violet, four children, one servant and three
live-in nurses. Henry was a county and international
lacrosse player.
During the war Henry was a staff-sergeant
engaged as a musketry instructor with the Highland
Light Infantry. It does not appear he went overseas.
He must have suffered ill-health as he moved to Sussex after the war and died on 18 July 1921
at St Michaels, Cricket-field Road, Seaford, aged 41. Probate was granted to his wife Violet,
Effects £1,121 12s. 6d.
John Haslam Walker
Age 27
At School in 1901, John was living at 13 Northern
Grove, Didsbury, with father Joseph, a shipping
merchant's buyer, mother Henrietta, two older sisters
and an elder brother. He was captain of lacrosse
during his last three years at school and on leaving
went to the Victoria University where he obtained a
degree with honours in Engineering. In 1911 he was
still living at home employed as a Civil & Chemical
Engineer. On the outbreak of war John joined the
1/6th Manchesters, a Territorial battalion, and
proceeded to Egypt in September 1914. He was
promoted to sergeant and served in Gallipoli from
May 1915.
In January 1917 John obtained a commission and, as a second lieutenant, was attached to the
16th Battalion Sussex (Yeomanry) Regiment and proceeded once more to Egypt. He was
wounded in action on 6 November 1917 at Sheira and sadly died of his wounds on 22 November
at Nasrieh Hospital, Cairo. Probate was granted to his father , Joseph, Effects £52 6s.
John was also a member of Whalley Range Cricket Club and is remembered on the war
memorial in the pavilion. Six of the ten names on the memorial are Old Hulmeians showing the
integrated nature of the two clubs at that time.