Famous Cricketers No 74 - Bill Edrich

Such was his cricket progress that, in his first full season for Middlesex in 1937, he scored over 2,000 runs, and in an early match scored 175 against Lancashire, again in partnership with Patsy Hendren who was in his final season with the Club. Hendren’s last match for Middlesex was against Surrey at Lord’s and Edrich shared in a stand of 182 with him whilst scoring 96 himself. He was invited to accompany the third Baron Tennyson’s tour of India in 1937/38 and on a most enjoyable tour struck up a lasting friendship with Norman Yardley. In great heat he scored 140 not out against Sind in Karachi, carrying his bat out of a total of 303, and experienced an earthquake during one of the matches against India, the team winning three and losing two of the principal matches. He had the highest batting aggregate of 1,230 runs on the tour, where they were all royally entertained. In 1938 he managed the unusual feat of 1,000 runs before the end of May, all scored on one ground, Lord’s. Playing for the Players against the Gentleman, he was knocked out by a ball from Farnes in the first innings, but came back to score 78 in the second innings, a testimony to his resilience and strength. He was picked for the First Test against Australia after scoring 80 in the Test Trial, but had a poor Test series and never mastered the wiles of Bill O’Reilly. He was attacked unmercifully in the press. His judgement was considered not mature enough to deal with the Australian bowlers on the warpath. Many were critical of his continued selection. In late 1938 he appeared for an Edrich XI against Norfolk and was dismissed for a first ball “duck” and the match was then washed out by rain. Due to the influence of Walter Hammond, he was picked for the tour to South Africa in 1938/39 and despite scoring runs in the State matches, he disappointed in the Test matches, having failed to reach 30 in any of his first 11 innings. He expected to be dropped for the final “Timeless” Test but injuries to other players let him in. He then scored 219 in the second innings being out on the ninth day in a match that still ended in a draw as the M.C.C. had to leave after the tenth day to catch their boat home. In 1939, he played well for Middlesex who finished runners-up to Yorkshire but he was not selected for the Test matches. With the advent of war, he volunteered for aircrew in October 1939, but nothing happened. Following advice he joined the Physical Training Branch at Uxbridge in February 1940, was posted to Torquay and in late summer transferred to Derby Flying Training School. He served as a pilot with 21 Squadron, Coastal Command, based in Norfolk, rising from flight lieutenant to acting squadron leader, and when flying, he always wore his MCC touring sweater under his tunic. His bravery was rewarded with an immediate DFC in 1941 and the citation in the London Gazette read “On the morning of 12th August 1941 Blenheim bombers carried out simultaneous attacks on the great Power Stations near Cologne. A strong force attacked the station at Knapsack, whilst a smaller force attacked two stations at Quadrath. These missions involved a flight of 250 miles over enemy territory, which were carried out at an altitude of 100 feet. At Knapsack the target was accurately bombed and machine gunned from between 200 and 800 feet and at Quadrath both Power Stations were hit from the height of the chimneys. The Turbine House at one of the two Power Stations was left a mass of flame and smoke. The success of this combined daylight attack and the co-ordination of the many formations of aircraft depended largely on accurate timing throughout the flight. That complete success was achieved, despite powerful opposition from enemy ground and air forces, is a high tribute to the calm courage and resolute determination displayed by the following officers and airmen who participated as leaders and members of the aircraft crews.” 12 of the 54 Blenheim bombers involved failed to return from this mission. In 1942 he was rested from flying duties, played some cricket at Lord’s, and in 1943 attended the Army Staff College at Camberley. He then moved to the RAF Group Operations Room in preparation for D-Day. During this period there was no time for cricket. 5