The games arranged by Glamorgan’s Emergency committee during 1944 also raised funds for various military organisations and hospitals in the area, with two taking place at Cardiff over the August Bank Holiday. The first was against an Army XI led by Tom Pearce, the Essex captain and saw George Lavis return to South Wales from Scotland where he had played for Forfarshire in 1938 and 1939. The all-rounder marked his first game back home by making an unbeaten 116, before Jack Mercer and Johnnie Clay rekindled memories of old amongst the 2,000-strong crowd by bowling Glamorgan to a 129-run victory.
For Mercer in particular, it was a welcome break from his work in the Intelligence Corps to play and mingle again with several of his Glamorgan colleagues who also included Dai Davies and Cyril Smart. Having spent time in the Soviet Union before the Great War, and having taught himself to speak Russian ( largely so that he and a pal could chat up some of the pretty ballerinas!) his linguistic skills had been put to good use and he spent time in the early years of the War at Bletchley Park, assisting the hard-pressed staff as they translated, and sent, coded messages to colleagues in Eastern Europe.
Glamorgan were able to play at several other grounds in addition to the Arms Park and Barry Island. The St.Helen’s ground in Swansea was made available for the game with the National Fire Service on 19 August, whilst Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd was the venue on 24 June for the contest against Western Command. The Ynysmaerdy ground in Briton Ferry played host on 16 September to the one-day friendly with the West of England, whilst Rodney Parade in Newport staged two matches – on 7 August against The Army and 26 August against the Anti-Aircraft Command.
For the Club, however, the most important event in 1944 was the tragic death of Maurice Turnbull whilst serving with the Welsh Guards in Montchamp – an important route-centre in Normandy. In early August they had driven German troops out of the town and had established a base in the town. But on 5 August, a counter-attack took place as Major Turnbull was supervising reconnaissance in the fields and orchards to the south of the town. His observers were amongst the first to spot a column of Panzer tanks with foot soldiers either side and behind, heading towards them along one of the sunken roads leading into the town.
Without any decent cover or supporting anti-tank weapons, he told his men to hide up against a hedge lining one of the orchards. As the tanks came closer, he attempted to send a message back to their headquarters but the wireless communication had broken down, and Turnbull sent his number two to run back into town with news of the German attack.
With an element of cover provided by the hedges lining the lane, Turnbull realised that the advancing column of Panzers could literally be halted in their tracks if the lead vehicle was immobilised. He quickly assembled a small group armed with guns and grenades who would try and move up behind the hedge to cripple the first tank. He then crawled into position and, as he became almost level with the lead vehicle, tried to lob a grenade into its cab, just like he had thrown so many balls back into the wicket-keeper’s gloves on countless occasions for Glamorgan. But spotting the pocket of Guardsmen, machine-gun fire came from the German troops, before the lead vehicle’s gun turret swung through the hedge and opened fire. Turnbull was right alongside and was fatally shot through the head.
Confirmation of his death came through as Glamorgan were playing a fund-raising game at the Arms Park, the scene of so many of his sporting triumphs. As a grim notice was posted on the pavilion noticeboard, the crowd stood in respectful silence in memory of the Club’s inspirational leader and a man who had almost single-handedly prevented Glamorgan County Cricket Club going out of business.
Opposite – Maurice Turnbull’s grave at the Bayeux War Cemetery run by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission . Photo Credit – Glamorgan Cricket Archives.
