I've raised £2600 to fund the grave restoration of 'Mr Cricket', William H. Ferguson.
Organised by Toby Goodman
Story
I'm raising £2,600 to fund the restoration of William Henry Ferguson's grave.
I recently came across the grave, here in Bath, of William Henry Ferguson. ‘Fergie’ toured the international cricket world for over 50 years as scorer and baggage master, from his first tour to England with the 1905 Australian team, until his final tour with the 1957 West Indians shortly before his death.
Fergie worked for many notable teams over the years, such as the English on the infamous Bodyline tour of 1932/3, the 1948 Australian ‘Invincibles’ and also the 1953/4 New Zealanders on their emotional tour of South Africa.
Fergie is regarded as the inventor of the ‘wagon wheel’ batting chart, compiling the strokes made by Sir Jack Hobbs when he scored 81 for Surrey against the touring Australians in 1912. Other famous batting innings he mapped include Sir Donald Bradman (334 runs v England), Wally Hammond (336 v New Zealand) and Sir Leonard Hutton (364 v Australia).
In all, Bill ‘Fergie’ Ferguson scored in 208 Test matches during an era which stretched from Monty Noble to Ray Lindwall, from WG Grace to Fred Trueman.
Ferguson was born in New Zealand in 1880 but spent his formative years living in Sydney. A friendship with his dentist (and future brother-in-law), the famous Australian team captain, Monty Noble, led to his appointment as the team baggage master and scorer for the 1905 tour to England. This was the beginning of a lifetime of service to cricket. Former Australian Prime Minister and cricket enthusiast, Sir Robert Menzies, said of ‘Fergie’, “There is no better-loved man in the entire cricket world.” Menzies awarded Ferguson the British Empire Medal in 1951.
WH Ferguson died in Bath in September 1957 and was buried in the Locksbrook Cemetery. Obituaries written at the time said he was 'one of cricket's celebrities' and 'the best-known scorer in the world'. John Goddard, the Captain of the West Indies said, "Our big regret is that we can't go to Fergie's funeral. After three tours with this dear old man, I feel as though I have lost my cricket father."
Fergie's grave has sadly been forgotten and is in a poor state of repair. I contacted the Bath and North East Somerset Council and their approved stonemason has provided me with a quote to repair the grave.
I would be very grateful for any donations towards this very worthwhile cause. Thank you.
WH ‘Fergie’ Ferguson was born in New Zealand in 1880. Over the years he developed a great love for cricket that led to his appointment as the team baggage master and scorer for the 1905 Australian cricket tour to England. This was the beginning of a lifetime of service to cricket. Fergie later became the baggage master and scorer of the 1937 New Zealand cricket team to England which was my father’s first tour. Sadly, Fergie’s gravesite is in ruin and needs urgent work to give him the peace, grace and dignity he deserves. Any support would be greatly appreciated. SIR RICHARD HADLEE
MCC to Australia 1932/3 (Fergie is on the right in the back row)
Fergie receiving his British Empire Medal (for Services to Cricket) from the Australian Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies, in 1951.
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