Born On This Day: 7th January

Charles Richards Gunner was born in Bishops Waltham in 1853. He was an amateur who played just once for Hampshire, v Derbyshire at Derby in 1878, but in a match truncated by rain, held one catch but neither batted nor bowled.

He was therefore the first of three men to have such a record for the county – the others are OW Cornwallis & FJ Hyland.

Some years later CR played for Swanmore Park (v Hambledon), the Gentlemen of Hampshire, and in non-first-class games for Hampshire – from which it appears he was a lower-order batsman who did not bowl.

He did however represent England at Rugby Union, while his son, John Hugh played in six matches for Hampshire in 1906 & 1907. He was the third and last brother to die on active service in the war (Belgium, 1918). The father, CR, died in Bishops Waltham in 1934.