THE LATE THOMAS LOCKYER.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 645, 8 March 1870, Page 3

THE LATE THOMAS LOCKYER.

— ♦ — [EUROPEAN MAII.] One of the best wicket-keepers, and the most popular man in the field of modem times, died at Croydon on December 22, in the person of Thomas — move commonly known amongst his associates and admirers as " Tom " — Lockj-ev. His career for his county was a very long one, extending as it did from 1849 to 1886, and throughout, his geniality of disposition and good nature towards his colleagues, coupled with his straightforward and respectful bphavior to his superiors, made him uni- ' versally liked and esteemed by all who knew him. The same qualities earned him the respect and good words of those whom he afterwards came into contact with in America and Australia, when in 1859 and 1864 respectively he visited those countries as one of the English representative cricketers. . By calling he was a bricklayer, and early developed a taste for the profession of which he was afterwards so bright an ornament. He was born in the Old Town, Croydon, in November, 1828. In figure "Tom" was by no means elegant, for the great length of his arms and legs, compared with the size of hia body, made him appear taller than he really was. This formation, however, was invaluable to him when behind the wicket, as his great length and reach enabled him to get to balls which shorter men wonld not attempt to handle. His activity was very remarkable ; he was a dead shot at the wicket, and " handled " the ball wonderfully. He was the wors.t person in the world to try a game of skill with, and actually, on one occasion, ran out the late Bob Armstrong in a mateh — Fourteen of Kent v. England — at Lord's, when preparing to make a false start. Messrs Maclean and Melhnish, in the Haymarket, have published an excellent photograph of Lockyer, holding the ball as he used to do, and glancing round the field aa was his wont when captaining Surrey and the United, previous to throwing the ball to a fresh bowler, or taking off the gloves to deliver an over or two himself. To look at Lockyer, you would never imagine the pace at which he could travel to short leg after a catch, or when stealing a run. His bowling was also a useful change, but was seldom called into requisition, as he was nearly always wanted at the wickeb. His style was rather fast round-arm. In batting, his excellent eye enabled him to make several long scores, and when hs did hit he punished the bowling tremendously. He was invaluable also to his county eleven as a captain, and by his generalship and knowledge of the game, no less than by his more active services in the field, pulled off many a closely-contested match for Surrey. Ho man could have been more universally respected by all who knew him, and in the Surrey towns and villagers round the metropolis there are few to be found without the portrait of the ungainly and good-tempered old Surrey wicket-keeper hanging on their walls. In 1863, he first became a publican, and had a peculiar habit of throwing down the coin paid to him on the counter, aud catching it on the rebound with his right, and passing it on his left with marvellous rapidity. The last six months saw a woeful change in old Tori's appearance, as, wasted and sunken with illness, he shrank into a mere shadow of his former self, while more recently, .and for some little period before his death, he used to Bit — seemingly unable to move — listlessly before his parlor tire. Poor Tom leaves a widow and three children — the eldest boy a real chip of the old block, so like is he to his father in style and manner. Lockyer was, up to the time of his death, landlord of the Sheldon Arms, Wandle Road, Croydon. He was buried on December 28, at Croydon, and his wife, an

industrious, worthy woman, thinks that the Australian trip first broke tip his constitution — once so robust. Thus does Time work its silent way, and King Death " stumps out" at last the great Prince of Wicket-keepers — so boyish, simple, and honest in his heart and nature. (For continuation of news see Fourth Par/e.)