Lives in Cricket No 7 - Richard Daft

Chapter Twenty-Two Post Mortem Richard’s death certificate specified the cause of death as ‘fatty degeneration of the heart, chronic nephritis and syncope’, certified by the long-serving general practitioner in Radcliffe, Dr Campbell. The Nottingham Express and Journal carried a detailed and laudatory assessment of his career as cricketer and businessman. On the day of his funeral, 21 July, 1900, the cricket at Trent Bridge, between Notts and Gloucestershire, was suspended during the period of interment, just as it had been for George Parr nine years before. No ladies were present in church in accordance with Richard’s request. Richard junior and Harry were the chief mourners, with other family members, who after the service in St Mary’s clustered around the grave in the churchyard across the road. Harry Turner, the Secretary, represented the County Cricket Club, with William Oscroft and Alf Shaw prominent among other former cricketers. Many of Richard’s old colleagues and adversaries had gone before. Of figures prominent in Richard’s career, Shrewsbury committed suicide in May 1903, Oscroft died two years later, and Shaw early in 1907. J.D.Gorse, fellow villager, member of the Notts County Committee and bankrupt, was in attendance, as was William Wood, Richard’s cousin. William Gunn, playing for his county, sent a wreath, so did the Radcliffe-on-Trent Cricket Club. There was a tribute from 133 St Mary’s Church, Radcliffe on a summer’s day in 2008.