Thomas Cooke was the son of the Chief Clerk to the Monmouthshire Canal Company. A land agent and accountant by profession he worked – and played – on both sides of Severnside, appearing for both Clifton CC and Newport CC, besides making one appearance for the South Wales Cricket Club in 1861.
Thomas had played against the South Wales Cricket Club for Clifton CC in August 1860 and 1861. In the latter year, their match against the crack Bristol club was followed by another fixture against Lansdown CC in Bath. It was probably through his social and cricketing contacts that he was invited to play for the Club, probably when another gentlemen withdrew. He scored 1 and an unbeaten 3, but was never called up again.
He had trained initially as an engineer but switched to being an accountant and auditor with his main role being Secretary of the Monmouthshire Wagon Company, based in Newport besides serving as Clerk of the Gelligaer Educational Charity. Having been brought up at Clydach, near Abergavenny, he lived for much of his life at Goytre.
COOKE, Thomas Eborall
Born – Monmouth, November 1829.
Died – Newport, 10 April 1918.