Sir Edward Stock Hill, who went on the South Wales Cricket Club’s tour of London and the South-east in 1878, was one of the grandees at Cardiff Docks, having moved from his native Bristol during the 1850s to work at the developing port of Cardiff.
He duly created one of the largest dry docks in the area and subsequently became the Founder of the Cardiff Shipowners’ Association as well as Founder of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce.
Born into a wealthy ship and dock owning family in Bristol, Edward was educated at Bishop’s College in Clifton. After moving to South Wales he played initially for Cardiff CC and after moving to the suburb of Llandaff he also played for their cricket team. He was also a founding member of the Cardiff and County Club, situated close to the Arms Park, where he could mingle with his friends from the world of business, sport and politics.
In 1878 he accompanied several of them on the South Wales Cricket Club’s tour to the London area. He was primarily a middle-order batter and made his debut at The Oval scoring 0 and 6 against Surrey Club and Ground, before scoring 1 against the MCC at Lord’s. He then made 17 against the Prince’s Club at their ground in Chelsea before travelling to Hove where he made 3 and 7 against the Gentlemen of Sussex.
He also played a leading role in the formation of Fairwater CC who played four miles north-west of the centre of Cardiff and close to his family’s home at Rookwood House which had been built for him in 1866. It was here that he also held hunting and shooting parties and was very good friends with the Insole’s and David’s who lived nearby as well as the Brain family. Indeed, Jack Brain played for the Fairwater club, often alongside some of the talented amateurs being considered for a place in the Glamorgan team.
Edward had married Fanny Ellen Tickell in April 1866 and the couple had seven children, all of whom were involved in the activities of Fairwater CC. Vernon played county cricket for both Glamorgan and Somerset, besides helping Jack Brain with the fund-raising efforts in the 1900s as Glamorgan pressed for higher recognition. Two of his other sons appeared in county cricket with Percy also appearing for Glamorgan whilst Eustace briefly played for Somerset.
His daughter Constance was also involved with the Fairwater Ladies team and organised matches in the late 1880s and early 1890s for a Glamorgan Ladies XI. She subsequently married Walter Hoare, who also played cricket for Glamorgan in 1901.
Edward also served as Conservative MP for Bristol South from 1886 until 1900 and was knighted in 1892. He had also served as a Colonel in the Glamorgan Militia and acted as High Sheriff of Glamorgan in 1885. His grandson Mervyn also played cricket for Glamorgan, Somerset, Cambridge University and the MCC.
HILL, Edward Stock
Born – Clifton, Bristol ,13 January 1834.
Died – London, 18 December 1902.