Lives in Cricket No 27 - CB Llewellyn

16 Out of Africa suggesting ‘bringing Mr Llewellyn here to qualify for the county.’ The Committee chairman, J.C.Moberly, proposed that the matter be referred to a specially constituted and high-powered sub- committee, consisting of Russell Bencraft (Honorary Secretary), Henry Grierson (Honorary Treasurer), Captain C.A.R.Hoare (President) and Moberly himself. By 27 June 1899, Bencraft was reporting to his colleagues: ‘Mr Llewellyn has been brought over from South Africa and is living at Captain Hoare’s.’ Charles Hoare became senior partner in Hoare’s Bank in 1877 at the age of 30. His wealth gave him the freedom to lead a life of extravagant indulgence; he used his advantages to become a keen sailor and a fearless horseman, as well as being a heavy gambler. As a married man, he became the lover of Beatrice Holme Sumner who, at 15, was half his age. When she was 22, in 1884, she bore him a daughter. Their long-lasting relationship had already led to a court case and open scandal. In 1885, Hoare purchased a 400-ton barque, the Illovo, and other craft to form a naval training school, the training ship Mercury , at Hamble between Portsmouth and Southampton, for boys between the ages of 12 and 15, who in those early days were mostly taken from the streets of London. His motives may have been mixed; partly, but not principally, in expiation of his illegal behaviour, but chiefly to find some remunerative activity for Beatrice and as cover for their children. She certainly put her heart and soul into management of the training ship, learning all the techniques which would equip the young sailors for a life at sea, including her scaling the rigging, 80 feet or more above the deck! Her regime could be harsh, and not for nothing was she called ‘Beat-tie’. She lived in a newly built house at the Mercury , while Hoare moved to Hall Place at West Meon, a vast mansion some miles to the north. Charles Fry met Hoare when he was invited to play cricket at the Mercury , where he soon became acquainted with Beattie, whom with all her baggage, he married on 4 June 1898. This, then, was the establishment at which Buck Llewellyn arrived in 1899, to begin his two-year qualification period, before he would be eligible to play for Hampshire. Buck joined his new team when it was about to enter a lengthy period of decline. First-class from 1864 to 1885, the club sank almost out of view until greatly improved performance in 1894 led to a return to the front rank in the following season. Initially their success on the field was due to the bowling of Harry Baldwin,