Cornelius Fryer was the son of Colonel George Fryer, an Army Officer who was serving in Madras when Cornelius was born in 1834. The youngster was subsequently brought up in Bath and educated at Rugby School as well as Trinity College Cambridge where he graduated in Law before becoming a Barrister.
The right-handed batter and wicket-keeper had made his debut for Lansdown CC whilst still at school and also won a Cricket Blue at Cambridge in 1854, making three appearances that summer besides appearing in a further first-class match during 1856 against the MCC. His friendship with other members of Lansdown CC who were associated with the South Wales Cricket Club duly led to his selection for the Welsh side on two of their London tours in the early 1860s.
The first came in 1861 when he made 51 against Surrey Club and Ground at The Oval, followed by a score of 8 against the MCC at Lord’s. The following summer Cornelius also played against the Gentlemen of Kent at Tunbridge Wells as well as I Zingari at Lord’s where he scored 41. The barrister also appeared between 1861 and 1863 for the Gentlemen of Somerset, but his cricketing activities had to be curtailed after he lost an eye in an accident during the Autumn of 1862.
His last match of note came in June 1865 when he played for Lansdown CC against the United England Eleven. Cornelius sadly died, whilst still unmarried, in Gloucestershire during April 1874.
FRYER, Cornelius Willoughby Hudleston
Born – India, 12 February 1834.
Died – Andoversford, Gloucs, 27 April 1874.