Lives in Cricket No 5 - Rockley Wilson

Chapter Four A Singular Man We will pause at this point in the story of Rockley Wilson’s cricket career to say more about Rockley the man. He was a sensitive, modest and courteous person and, throughout his life, mildly eccentric. We have commented on Rockley’s sense of humour and fun in the account of his school days. He carried these qualities into adulthood. Something of a gadfly, like many humorists he was not averse to taking a chance with authority, as the cheating incident at Rugby and some of his antics as a schoolmaster at Winchester illustrate. He was a natural raconteur and a master of the impromptu remark or aside. He spoke very softly, almost apologetically, in a high-pitched voice, leaning forward slightly, constantly fingering his tie. He had a slight speech impediment which led him to say “ve” rather than “the”. His remarks, frequently laced with cricketing metaphors, were punctuated by a frequent “ta-ha” and he developed the habit of always repeating his punch-line. Rockley would say, of people he did not like, “He is not a very nice man really, really.” His more acerbic witticisms were directed at those whom he found discourteous or pompous. The best known of all Rockley Wilson anecdotes relates how, when talking to friends in the Long Room at Lord’s, he greeted Lord Harris who offered a limp handshake and passed curtly on. Rockley, who was not popular with the Lord’s ‘establishment’ at the time, for reasons that we shall come to in due course, muttered under his breath “Lucky to get a touch really, lucky to get a touch.” Another well-known story has him murmuring, “A pleasure,” as a woman for whom he was holding open a door at Harrods swept past without a word, and then pursuing her down the street to remark “And it would have been an even greater pleasure, madam, if you had said thank you.” It was said of him that he was equally capable of snubbing a bishop and soothing a fretful baby. If really annoyed, Rockley could show quick bursts of temper. Obvious fools he did not suffer gladly. 42