Dimming of the Day

reported everywhere, but could not affect the first-class programme as that was finishing. There was a strange general impression that the BEF had been magnificent, but that we were allowed to know very little about it. The Times talked of 5000 to 6000 casualties. The Daily Express called it, ‘The most brilliant deed in British history.’ MCC announced the cancellation of the Scarborough Festival, ‘it being evident that the continuation of first-class cricket is hurtful to the feelings of a section of the public.’ The FA was meeting to consider its position. Rugby teams were packing up, though the Cumberland RFU suggested that they should carry on for the time being. Surrey were beaten at Edgbaston; wanting 211, they collapsed for 130, F.R.Foster five for 48: they were, however, still top of the table, though the Daily Express pointed out that, ‘there is a chance that Surrey will not win the title after all. In losing to Warks their percentage was reduced 73.33 and Middlesex, having completed their season, have a percentage of 70%.’ Surrey needed seven points from their last three matches although, of course, they had cancelled two of them. Hampshire beat Essex by an innings and 19 runs. At Old Trafford Lancashire were 299-3, J.T.Tyldesley 122 not out, in reply to 339. M.K.Foster made 158 for Worcestershire against Derbyshire: one of the seven brothers this was his highest first-class score though he stayed on to captain the county from 1923 to 1925. In that match came the debut for Worcestershire of John Harber from Norton. According to the Evening Despatch he had gone for a trial on the Saturday and was immediately put in the team having only played village cricket. It was his only first-class match and CricketArchive has no further trace of him as a cricketer at any level. He took three wickets at reasonable cost, but it was Worcestershire’s last Championship match until 1920. In 1911 he had been living and working on his father’s farm at Earls Croome and he died in 1962 at Baughton Hill Farm, Earls Croome, so he must have gone back to the land and worked there for the rest of his life. Lancashire v Northamptonshire was drawn. The 17-year-old S.T. (Thomas) Askham was playing for Northamptonshire, his fifth game of the month. He was still at Wellingborough School, where he was regarded as exceptionally promising. He left after 1915 and, another young Second Lieutenant, was killed in action in August 1916. On 1 September the Daily Express says that ‘Berlin is in a state of panic’ with the Russians advancing. The football season started today and the Football Association said that the game would continue and the War Office was in favour. The 1914/15 season was played out but the Football League was suspended for the duration after that. August 1914 96