Henry Willis (cricketer)
Henry Willis | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Sydenham, Kent, England |
| Died | September 29, 1926 (aged 85) Horton Lodge, Horton, Surrey, England |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, cricketer |
Henry Willis (17 March 1841 – 29 September 1926) was an English banker and cricketer.
Life
Willis was born in Sydenham, Kent as the eldest child of Henry Willis, who was a banker and senior partner at Willis, Percival & Co. located on Lombard Street in London. He received private education before joining the family banking business by the year 1863. His sister, Marianne, became the wife of MP Henry Paull in 1862.
The banking firm collapsed in 1878; however, Willis’s personal wealth played a crucial role in addressing the bank’s debts. After the acquisition, he assumed the role of manager for the new company continuing operations at the same Lombard Street premises.
Cricketer
Details about Willis's batting technique remain unknown. He participated in a single first-class cricket match representing Surrey against Yorkshire in 1868 at The Oval. Surrey won the toss and chose to bat first, compiling 195 runs, with Willis being dismissed without scoring by Tom Emmett. Yorkshire replied with a total of 389 runs. In Surrey’s second innings, they were bowled out for 52, with Willis contributing 7 runs before George Atkinson took his wicket. Yorkshire secured victory by an innings and 142 runs.
This match was Willis’s only major appearance for Surrey. Additionally, he held the position of Captain for the Epsom Cricket Club over several years.
Family
In 1866, Willis wed Emmeline Levick from Hookfield, Epsom. The couple had one son named Henry—who married Mina Gertrude, daughter of cricketer E. M. Grace—and six daughters. Willis passed away at Horton Lodge near Horton, Surrey on 29 September 1926.
External links
- [1] at Epsom and Ewell History Explorer