Lives in Cricket No 46 - George Raikes

8 Chapter One The Early Life of George Barkley Raikes; Family and Schooling The Rev George Barkley Raikes, probably one of Norfolk’s greatest sportsmen, was born at Carleton Forehoe, Norfolk, on 14 March 1873. His family, though not of the aristocracy, had a long and impressive pedigree, being traceable as far back as 1507 when the death of ‘Raiks of Kelfield’, was reported. Although it can not be stated with absolutely certainty, it seems possible that every individual with the surname ‘Raikes’ is a descendant of that Raiks. The first Raikes whose profession is known was Richard Raikes, a master mariner who resided in Hull and died in 1588, but the family were a versatile one, having a variety of professions. Some of its more significant members were: Timothy Raikes (1650-1721/2), who was involved in trading with the emerging economy of Russia. Robert Raikes (1690-1757), who became a pioneer in the newspaper industry, being widely known as the ‘printer of Gloucester’. Robert Raikes junior (1736-1811), who is widely credited with inventing the concept of the ‘Sunday School’. William Raikes (1738-1800), who was a director of the South Sea Company. Thomas Raikes (1741-1813), who was Governor of the Bank of England between 1797 and 1799. For those interested further, a comprehensive monograph on the family can be found in Pedigree Of Raikes , put together by Duncan Raikes in 1980. To place the Rev George in context, it is sufficient to commence with his grandfather, another George, who was the son of the Thomas Raikes mentioned above. He was born on 22 June 1785, married Marianne Currie, and was rewarded by his in-laws by being given a post as a banker in their family firm of Curries’ & Co. Before passing away on 16 January 1840 he had time to father a sizeable brood of eleven. His first five children were all born in the London area. The eldest, Mary Georgiana, lived to a ripe old age but was followed by two sons who died relatively young: both George and Arthur sought their fortunes in India and both perished there. The fourth child, Emma Finch, died a spinster and it was the offspring of the fifth child, Francis, who will demand our attention. However, it remains to deal with his younger siblings. Walter joined the 1 st Northamptonshire Regiment, receiving medals for serving on the Punjab Frontier, Salamanca, Tirah and Egypt, before becoming a farmer in Ontario, Canada, where he died. The seventh child, Henry, carried on the family trait of globe-