Henry Arkwright was one of the most promising young bowlers in first-class cricket during the 1860s and in 1861 the young Army officer taking 9/43 and 9/53 with his fast underarm bowling whilst playing for the Gentlemen of the MCC against the Gentlemen of Kent at Canterbury. He remains one of only three cricketers to claim eighteen wickets during a first-class match.
Born at Hampton Court near Leominster during December 1837 and educated at Harrow, he had no direct link with South Wales and his one appearance for the South Wales CC came against the Gentlemen of Kent at Tunbridge Wells in July 1862. It is not sure if he was specially hired by the Club’s officials specifically for the match, hoping that he might reproduce his efforts the previous year at Canterbury or whether he was a late addition when someone else dropped out at short notice. Whatever the reason, he only took five wickets as the Kent amateurs won a closely-fought match by ten runs.
Henry had enjoyed plenty of success as a schoolboy bowler for Harrow, besides playing for Herefordshire between 1855 and 1861. He also attended Trinity College, Cambridge where he won a Blue in 1858 before joining the Army, initially as an Ensign in the 84th Regiment before rising to the rank of Lieutenant in 1860 and then being promoted to Captain in 1865, besides serving as the Aide de Camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Despite his military duties, Henry still found plenty of time to play cricket, including playing regularly for the MCC, I Zingari, the Quidnuncs and the Gentlemen of the Midland Counties.
However, during the Autumn of 1866, and at the age of 28, he was involved in a fatal accident whilst on holiday in Chamonix. At the time, being able to walk near or actually on a glacier was the “big game” of an Alpine holiday. Eager to cross this off his bucket list, Henry, his mountain guide and two porters ascended Mont Blanc on 13 October. However, they were all killed in an avalanche with Henry’s remains not being discovered for 31 years.
ARKWRIGHT, Henry.
Born – Leominster, 16 December 1837.
Died – Mont Blanc, 13 October 1866.