Honour for promising sporting ex-pupil who died at the Somme
A SCHOOL’S dilapidated cricket pavilion is to be rebuilt and named in the memory of a former pupil who played for both Yorkshire and England.
Talented batsman and bowler William Booth was killed during the First World War on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, July 1, 1916. He was a major in the West Yorkshire Regiment and his death meant his promising sporting career was cut short
However, a sizeable bequest left to Fulneck School in Leeds by the Booth family, will now help fund a replacement building, to be known as the Major William Booth Cricket Pavilion.
But, because there is a £20,000 funding shortfall, the private school is now undertaking a series of activities to raise the money required to plug the financial gap.
Fulneck School principal, Deborah Newman, said: “The current cricket pavilion has served the school for many decades, but sadly time has finally caught up with it.
“It is no longer fit for purpose, hence us seeking to replace it with a modern building that will hopefully also serve the school teams, and those from nearby clubs in Leeds and Bradford, for many years to come.
“Thanks to a generous legacy left by Major Booth’s family, we are just £20,000 short and have now begun a fund-raising campaign.
“In recognition of this former pupil’s cricketing prowess, one that saw him play for both county and country, I’m proud to say the new building will be called The Major William Booth Cricket Pavilion.”
Work is expected to start at the beginning of next year and be completed in time for the start of the 2018 cricket season.
In the 144 games in which William Booth appeared for Yorkshire he scored 4,213 runs with an average of 22.65 and obtained 556 wickets for 18.89 runs each.
In 1913, Booth was chosen for the Players at Lord’s, and during 1913-14 toured South Africa with the MCC’s team.