Evan David was a member of the David family of St. Fagan’s with his elder brother Edmund leading Glamorgan in their inaugural match in 1889. Like Edmund, Evan also played for the South Wales Cricket Club during the 1880s prior to pursuing a career as a Clerk in Holy Orders and becoming Archdeacon of Brisbane from 1895 until 1905.
He was born at St. Fagan’s Vicarage in 1861 and educated at Magdalen College School and New College, Oxford. Whilst at the latter Evan also took part in the Freshman’s Trials in 1880. The right-handed batter and wicket-keeper played in the Freshman’s Match, scoring 0 and 7 prior to winning a place in the Freshman’s XVIII which played the University’s 1st XI.
This was the closest Evan came to winning a place in the Oxford XI but later in the summer and after some decent performances for both Cardiff CC and Fairwater CC, Evan appeared in the South Wales Cricket Club’s Trial Match at the Arms Park. He scored 20 for their 1st XI against the Next XVIII and a few days later played for the Club against Clifton CC at Cardiff Arms Park. He scored 1 in what proved to be his only full appearance for the Club.
For the next couple of years Evan continued playing for New College side whilst in residence at Oxford, as well as for Cardiff CC when back home in South Wales during his summer vacation. In 1881 he was chosen in the Cardiff XXII which played the United South of England XI with the theology student scoring 1 and 3. He fared a little bit better the following year when, against a United England Eleven, Evan scored 14 and 0 for the Cardiff XXII.
Evan was ordained during 1884 and initially served as Curate of St. Peter’s Collegiate Church in Wolverhampton, before moving to South Yorkshire in 1887 and becoming Vice-Principal of Leeds Clergy School. However, he found the Northern weather uncomfortable and, after taking medical advice, in November 1890 Evan travelled to Australia to seek out warmer temperatures and better health. He duly stayed in Brisbane for thirteen years and in 1895 became Archdeacon of the Australian city.
During this period, he did make occasional visits to the UK, including one during the Spring of 1900 when he married Kathleen Kington, the daughter of a Lieutenant -Colonel in the Fourth Hussars, at St. Margaret’s Church, Westminster on 17 May. They duly had two sons and two daughters.
Photo Credit – Glamorgan Cricket Archives.
In 1905 Evan and Kathleen returned permanently to the UK following his appointment as Chaplain of Dulwich College. Whilst back on home soil, Evan also wrote a book, published in 1908, about the development and expansion of the Church of England in Australia. His elder brother was Professor Edgeworth David, the famous geologist who led the expedition under Ernest Shackleton which discovered the South Magnetic Pole in January 1909.
DAVID, Rev. Arthur Evan
Born – St. Fagans, 1 July 1861.
Died – Camberwell, 4 April 1913.