George Louch (1746 – 1811) was an English cricketer and match organiser during the 18th century. Year 1746 ( MDCCXLVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Year 1811 ( MDCCCXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Cricket is a bat-and-ball team Sport that originated in England and is now played in more than 100 countries The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system He was especially noted for his fielding and was an early stalwart of Marylebone Cricket Club.
He was a native of Chatham and was evidently educated at Westminster. The Royal College of St Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain 's leading boys' Independent schools with He was playing quite regularly for the Chatham club up to 1773 when, for some unknown reason, his career went into sabbatical, as it were, because he does not reappear in the records until 1783. There is an entry in a 1778 diary re the Chatham club saying the reason it lost a game at Meopham was that: "Ye club is many of them gone to sea. Meopham (ˈmɛpəm is a large linear village and Civil parish in the District of Gravesham, Kent, England, and lies to the south of Gravesend No wonder they was beat".
So perhaps Mr Louch joined the Royal Navy, always likely given his home town? Or he might have been in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War (as was the Earl of Winchilsea and, possibly, Richard Purchase). The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" George Finch 9th Earl of Winchilsea KG PC FRS ( 4 November 1752 – 2 August 1826) was one of the most significant Richard Purchase (1757 – 1837 was a famous English cricketer who played for the Hambledon Club. Or he might have gone to India to make his fortune, for he does seem to have been quite well off during his later career, despite having had an apparently modest upbringing. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country
Whatever the reason for his absence, Louch’s career went into overdrive on his return and he deserves to be described as ubiquitous for the sheer volume of his appearances at every venue imaginable from 1787 until his final retirement at the end of the 1797 season. In all, he has 134 recorded appearances in major matches. Only the Earl of Winchilsea (128) and William Bullen (119) were anywhere near his total when he retired. William Bullen (dates unknown was an outstanding English cricketer throughout the last quarter of the 18th century
In August 1789, it was reported in the press that Louch had been killed on the field by "a ball from the point of the bat, struck with such force that it lodged in his body"! Fortunately, he survived the injury and was back in action next season. It is interesting that Louch was noted for his fielding in his early days and it is reasonable to assume he was an outstanding fielder in positions that were not so much "catching" or "silly" as suicidal.
When Mr Louch eventually did pass on, the Kentish Gazette of 7 May 1811 carried this notice: "Died April 29 at Ramsgate after a short illness, George Louch Esq, deeply regretted by all who knew him". Ramsgate is a seaside town on the Isle of Thanet in east Kent, England.
External links
References
- Fresh Light on 18th Century Cricket by G B Buckley (FL18)
- The Dawn of Cricket by H T Waghorn (WDC)
- Scores & Biographies, Volume 1 by Arthur Haygarth (SBnnn)
- The Glory Days of Cricket by Ashley Mote (GDC)
- John Nyren's "The Cricketers of my Time" by Ashley Mote
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic