Lives in Cricket No 44 - LCH Palairet

While at the school in 1879, his mother gave birth to his youngest sister in January. Tragedy was to strike the family when, on May 13, his mother died at home at Cattistock Lodge. Although her death was reported in the local newspapers it does not give the cause. I can only surmise that it was due to complications as a result from her recently giving birth. What is certain is that she left a husband and five children under the age of nine; it is hard to imagine what the effects were on the family at the time. All the local press could report was that the thoughts of the community were for the family (his mother was only 35). This was the start of a number of sad events that would affect the family over the next decade. In 1880 the first report is given on Lionel’s prowess as a cricketer, not for batting but bowling, when his under arm lobs took seven wickets in seven balls. Until his arrival at Repton there are no further references to any matches he was involved in. Then on December 23 there was a further tragedy to hit the Palairets. The following extract is taken from the Western Gazette of December 30, 1880: ‘The family of Henry Palairet of Cattistock Lodge, have been plunged into the deepest grief, their youngest child of about two years of age, has tragically died as she was burned to death. The governess looking after the child left the room for a few minutes, on her return she found the child in flames. It appears that the child had got hold of some matches and struck one. Although the fire was put out quickly, the child was so badly burned that she died within the hour. ‘That evening an inquest was held. From the evidence gathered it seems that the governess slept in the same room as the child, the child being in an adjoining cot. The nurse left the room at 8am to make breakfast for her. She had moved the matches to the opposite end of the room to the cot, thinking they were out of reach. The governess was only out of the room for five minutes, on her return she found the child on her bed covered in flames. Despite putting out the flames quickly the child died within an hour. The inquest verdict was accidental death. Early life and Repton 11