Gerry Elkington was a leading figure in the copper and tin-plate industry during the late 19th and early 20th century. He lived at Dan-y-Graig in Pembrey and was also a Justice of the Peace for Carmarthenshire having played in his youth for the South Wales Cricket Club.
He was the son of Frederick Elkington of Zion Hill in Worcestershire and educated at Harrow and Brasenose College, Oxford. Gerry was an enthusiastic cricketer and had a decent record in club cricket for Burry Port CC and Llanelli CC. In 1877 he guested for Swansea CC in their match against the All-England Eleven, scoring 11 and 0, before playing for the XXII of South Wales the following year against the Australians at St. Helen’s, making 2 and O in the match against the Test cricketers.
Later in 1878, Gerry also went on the Club’s tour to London and the Home Counties, playing against the MCC, Prince’s and the Gentlemen of Sussex. In 1879 he also featured in the tour matches at The Oval and Hove, besides playing in the match at Rodney Parade against Clifton CC. His final appearance for the South Wales Cricket Club came in 1881 against the MCC at the Arms Park, whilst he also featured that year in the contest at Swansea between the Gentlemen and Players of South Wales. His highest score in these matches was 25 at Prince’s in 1878.
Gerry initially managed the operations of his family’s copper smelting and tin plate businesses in Burry Port and Llanelli, before moving to London in the early 1900s and acting as the representative for Richard Thomas and Company, the steel and tin-plate manufacturers on the London Metal Exchange. His family’s company also created the South Wales Cricket Club Challenge Cup – the first sporting trophy in Wales.
ELKINGTON, Gerard Bartleet
Born – Selly Oak, Worcestershire, 5 October 1854.
Died – Kensington, 1 August 1933.