William Frederick (Fred) Collishaw – cricketer

William Frederick (known as Fred) Collishaw

(Hickling Standard article, October 2024)

Born Hickling 1860

Played cricket for Warwickshire 1885-1892

The Hickling Years.

In an old Hickling cricket team photo dated 1863 can be seen the figure of William Collishaw; who knew, when this was taken, that his 3 year-old son would one day play County cricket for Warwickshire?

William Collishaw snr was born in Hickling in 1825 and he married Elizabeth Whittle of Langar-cum-Barnstone, in Hickling Church on the 18^th June 1850. The couple had 3 sons although, sadly, their eldest son, Frederick, died in 1855 aged just 3 years old; his headstone can be found by the church gates in Hickling churchyard. Their second son, Thomas, was born in 1858 and their youngest, William Frederick (known as Fred) was born in 1860. Census records show the family living in Hickling in 1851 where William snr is a carpenter, in 1861 he is a baker and carpenter and in 1871 he is a baker and grocer.

Confusingly there were 2 different couples of a similar age living in Hickling at this time, both named William & Elizabeth Collishaw; but the family’s cricketing prowess makes it likely that William snr is the gentleman photographed with the Hickling cricket team in 1863.

The Birmingham Years.

Unlike their farming cousins in the village, the family were all joiners and carpenters by trade and it is said that the family moved to Birmingham to work on the building of the railways leading to him playing cricket for Warwickshire rather than Nottinghamshire. Settling in the Saltley, Aston area of Birmingham, Fred was 15 when the family uprooted and resettled in Warwickshire.

Professional cricket was not as it is now; although the earliest known inter-County cricket match took place in 1709, fully professional cricket didn’t begin until 1963. Fred followed in his father’s footsteps as a carpenter and he would have carried on working alongside his cricketing career. Newspaper cuttings following his death in 1936 explain that he was a carpenter and joiner with the Brampton Cycle Chain Co., and that “he was allowed time occasionally to attend cricket matches”. In the 1991 census, he is living with his parents in Aston and his occupation is recorded as ‘carpenter and professional cricketer’.

In response to a query in 1996, Warwickshire County Cricket Club wrote: “I have established that the gentleman in question was born on 2 October 1860 at Hickling in Nottinghamshire, and died on 31 January 1936 in Saltley, Birmingham. He was a middle order right hand batsman and right arm medium pace bowler. His cricket with Warwickshire was played between 1884 and 1892 but was pre-First Class status with the Club which was only achieved in 1895. Sadly, therefore, we have no permanent record of any matches played during this period. Records also indicate that Mr Collishaw was a First Class Umpire from 1894-1897.”

History of Warwickshire Cricket by S Santall (1910):

Collishaw, Frederick W. Born at Hickling, Notts on October 2, 1860. Rendered splendid service to the Club in the eighties. Good batsman, strong in cutting, and a fair bowler (the author also lists Fred’s career stats).

Trent Bridge map of players' birthplaces — Trent Bridge map of players’ birthplaces

There is a rather beautiful map on display at Trent Bridge cricket ground which shows the ‘Birthplaces of Nottinghamshire Cricketers 1835-1955’. William Frederick Collishaw moved with his family to the Birmingham area when he was 15 and it is unlikely that he played cricket for Nottinghamshire before this move; however, he is illustrated on the map, in Hickling. Perhaps the map simply illustrates cricketers born in Nottinghamshire regardless of where they played.

In 1901 a newspaper report records the memories of Mr GH Pearce who scored a match involving Fred and his older brother Thomas in 1879:

“… The Star of Hope one day played St Alban’s, and the brothers were on opposite sides, for Fred at that time was a prominent member of St Alban’s. George Pearce was scoring, and Mr Collishaw, senr., a very keen follower of cricket, stood by him watching his boys. Fred went in and Tom bowled him for a duck. Said old Collishaw: “There’ll be trouble at our house to-night over this.” Then the Star of Hope batted, and by a strange coincidence Fred sent home Tom for a duck. “That’s all right,” remarked Mr Collishaw, looking greatly relieved, “Now, neither can say much to the other.” Mr Pearce has seen a good deal of cricket since that time – about 1879 – but he still thinks highly of Tom Collishaw, and he called to mind the height from which he used to deliver the ball.”

Fred Collishaw is reported to have been a strong batsman with an excellent cut shot but also a good right-arm bowler. His greatest cricketing achievement, and one of which he was very proud, was to be the first player to score a century at Edgbaston following the adoption of the ground as Warwickshire’s County Ground in 1884 – at the first match on the new ground he scored 145 against Leicestershire and the crowd was so impressed that they passed a hat round to collect a ‘financial reward’ in appreciation. In an interview in 1930 Fred, “… demonstrated to me how he glided the fast ball to the boundary time after time”. Wisden also records a further momentous achievement; in a match at Lords against the MCC on August 25^th 1885, Fred Collishaw “made a memorable first appearance at Lords (…) when going in first wicket down for Edgbaston against MCC and Ground scored 77 and 39, being not out at the close of each innings – so he batted whilst 18 wickets fell.”

One newspaper obituary explained that, “As a batsman, he might be described as playing in the Nottingham style”. In 1892 and 1893, Fred also played as a professional with Wednesbury in the Birmingham and District League and he continued his involvement with Warwickshire as an Umpire from 1894-1897.

After professional cricket.

On the 27^th December 1897 Fred married Lilian Sheasby from Aston in Birmingham at the Belmont Row Chapel in Aston. Fred and Lillian had 3 daughters; Miriam Mildred (1899), Elizabeth Grace (1902) and Lillian Eva (1907), all born in the Saltley area of Birmingham.

Census records show how closely linked the family continued to be: in 1901 Fred and Lillian’s household included Thomas Collishaw (Fred’s widowed brother) and William Collishaw (Fred’s widowed father). In 1911 and in 1921 the household includes Lillian’s widowed father, Thomas Sheasby (a retired engineer).

Throughout these years the Collishaw men are all recorded as carpenters and joiners; although the 1921 census adds some extra information as Fred’s daughter, Elizabeth, is recorded as “Manageress, employed by Pawnbroking William F Collishaw”. At the same time, in 1921, Fred is employed as a carpenter/joiner with Ansells Brewery.

William Frederick (Fred) Collishaw died in January 1936, leaving his wife and 3 married daughters. There are several newspaper obituaries detailing his life and achievements but all of them emphasise his Chapel beliefs and his ‘full life of Christian Service”. All 3 generations of the family were particularly linked with the Belmont Row Methodist Church where Fred was a Sunday school teacher and a member of the choir.

1936: Mr F Collishaw – Warwickshire Cricket Veteran’s Funeral

The interment of the late Mr William Frederick (better known as Fred) Collishaw, the old Warwickshire cricketer, and the man who scored the first century on the county ground at Edgbaston, took place to-day at Yardley Cemetery, following a service at the Saltley Methodist Church, Alum Rock-road.

In an address at the latter, the resident minister, the Rev. Ralph Tooth, paid high tribute to Mr Collishaw, and revealed that after cricket matches he would go to prayer meetings.

“He had a splendid record as a cricketer, and a very distinguished place in the world of clean and fine sport.”

In connection with the Belmont-row Methodist Church, Mr Tooth pointed out that the deceased was a member of the choir for 50 years, a leader of the Band of Hope for 25 years, a Sunday school teacher and a worker in the mission band, and at the cottage and lodging house meetings.

“He lived a full life of Christian service.”

The hymns, “Jesus, Lover of my Soul” and “O, Love that will not let me go” were sung.

There was a large congregation of mourners, and the Warwickshire County Cricket Club was represented by Mr RV Ryder (secretary), who, in 1893, played with Mr Collishaw in the Wednes[bury] Birmingham and District League team.

William Frederick (Fred) Collishaw – cricketer

In more detail:

The Hickling Years.

William (father of Fred) Collishaw married Elizabeth Whittle on the 18^th June 1850 at St. Luke’s in Hickling (Q2 Bingham District); confusingly there were 2 couples of a similar age in Hickling both named William & Elizabeth Collishaw.

Headstone of Frederick Collishaw, Hickling, 1855

Elizabeth Whittle was baptised in Langar-cum-Barnstone on 6^th July 1823; daughter of Thomas Whittle (farmer) and Elizabeth.
They had 3 sons, the eldest, Frederick, died young and is buried in Hickling churchyard close to the church gates – his headstone remains in place.

Census 1851 (Hickling village): Fred Collishaw is listed in a separate household on his own – he is married, age 26, occupation carpenter, born Hickling. Elizabeth’s 1851 record, not found.

There are no Parish Baptism records for this part of the Collishaw family an indication of their Chapel faith.

Fred’s birth was registered by his father: William Frederick Collishaw born 2^nd October 1860 – father William Collishaw (joiner) – mother Elizabeth (Whittle) Collishaw – birth registered on Nov 1^st 1860.

Census 1861 (Hickling Village)

William Collishaw – age 36 – born Hickling 1825 – Baker & Carpenter
Elizabeth Collishaw – age 37 – born Barnston 1824
Thomas Edward Collishaw – age 3 – born Hickling 1858 – scholar
William Frederick Collishaw – age 0 – born Hickling 1861

An old Hickling cricket team photo (1863): back right is labelled William Collishaw and is likely to be the father of William Frederick (Fred) Collishaw.

Census 1871 (Street, Hickling)

William Collishaw – age 46 – born Hickling 1825 – Baker & Grocer
Elizabeth Collishaw – age 48 – born Barnston 1823
Thomas Edward Collishaw – age 13 – born Hickling 1858 – scholar
William Frederick Collishaw – age 10 – born Hickling 1861 – scholar

The Birmingham Years.

The family were all joiners and carpenters; the family story is that the family moved to Birmingham to work on the building of the railways leading to him playing cricket for Warwickshire rather than Nottinghamshire. Fred was aged 15 when the family moved in 1875.

Census 1881: Cato Street, Aston, Warwickshire

William Collishaw – age 56 – born Hickling 1825 – carpenter
Elizabeth Collishaw – age 58 – born Barnston 1823
William Frederick Collishaw – age 20 – born Hickling 1861 – carpenter
Thomas Edward Collishaw – age 23 – born Hickling 1858 – carpenter

Professional cricket:

Fully professional County cricket began in 1963 (ESPN Quick Info) and the earliest known inter-County cricket match appears to have taken place in 1709.
WFC would have continued working as a carpenter alongside playing cricket at County level. Newspaper cuttings following his death in 1936 explain that he was a carpenter and joiner with the Brampton Cycle Chain Co., and that “he was allowed time occasionally to attend cricket matches”. In the 1991 census, he is living with his parents in Aston and his occupation is recorded as ‘carpenter and professional cricketer’.

In response to a query in 1996, Warwickshire County Cricket Club wrote: “I have established that the gentleman in question was born on 2 October 1860 at Hickling in Nottinghamshire, and died on 31 January 1936 in Saltley, Birmingham. He was a middle order right hand batsman and right arm medium pace bowler. His cricket with Warwickshire was played between 1884 and 1892, but was pre-First Class status with the Club which was only achieved in 1895. Sadly, therefore, we have no permanent record of any matches played during this period. Records also indicate that Mr Collishaw was a First Class Umpire from 1894-1897.”

History of Warks by S Santall 1910 - extract — History of Warks by S Santall 1910 – extract

History of Warwickshire Cricket by S Santall (1910):

Collishaw, Frederick W. Born at Hickling, Notts on October 2, 1860. Rendered splendid service to the Club in the eighties. Good batsman, strong in cutting, and a fair bowler.
See book extract image for a list of his club record between 1885 and 1892.

There is a rather beautiful map on display at Trent Bridge cricket ground which shows the ‘Birthplaces of Nottinghamshire Cricketers 1835-1955’. Fred moved with his family to the Birmingham area when he was 15 and it is unlikely that he played cricket for Nottinghamshire before this move; however, he is illustrated on the map. Perhaps the map simply illustrates cricketers born in Nottinghamshire regardless of where they played.

Census 1891: Cato St, Aston, Warwickshire

William Collishaw – married – age 66 – born 1825, Hickling Notts – carpenter
Elizabeth Collishaw – married – age 67 – born 1824, Barnston, Notts
William F Collishaw – single – age 30 – born 1861, Hickling, Notts – carpenter & professional cricketer

Wisden - possible match for England — Wisden – possible match for England

After professional cricket.

Marriage: 27^th December 1897 – William Frederick Collishaw (bachelor, age 37) to Lilian Sheasby (spinster, age 24) – Belmont Row Chapel, Aston, Birmingham – Wesleyan Methodist – witnessed by Thomas and Eleanor Sheasby.

Fred & Lilian - wedding photograph 1897 — Fred & Lilian – wedding photograph 1897

Census 1901: 99, Ash Rd, Aston, Warwickshire

William F Collishaw – married – age 40 – born 1861, Hickling Notts – Joiner (wood trade)
Lillian Collishaw – wife, married – age 28 – born 1873, Birmingham, Warks
Miriam Collishaw – daughter – age 2 – born 1899, Saltley, Birmingham
Thomas E Collishaw – brother – widower – age 43 – born 1858, Hickling, Notts – Joiner (wood trade)
William Collishaw – father – widower – age 76 – born 1825, Hickling, Notts – retired joiner wood trade

1901: Sports Argus, 9^th February

Fred & Tom Collishaw anecdote - Sports_Argus_09_February_1901 — Fred & Tom Collishaw anecdote – Sports_Argus_09_February_1901

I fell across Mr GH Pearce, of the Parks Cricket Association, the other evening in the tram, and we soon got twenty years behind the time. Mr Pearce informed me that he used to score for the old Star of Hope Cricket Club at Adderley Park, and he told me a very good yarn about Tom and Fred Collishaw. The Star of Hope one day played St Alban’s, and the brothers were on opposite sides, for Fred at that time was a prominent member of St Alban’s. George Pearce was scoring, and Mr Collishaw, senr., a very keen follower of cricket, stood by him watching his boys. Fred went in and Tom bowled him for a duck. Said old Collishaw: “There’ll be trouble at our house to-night over this.” Then the Star of Hope batted, and by a strange coincidence Fred sent home Tom for a duck. “That’s all right,” remarked Mr Collishaw, looking greatly relieved, “Now, neither can say much to the other.” Mr Pearce has seen a good deal of cricket since that time – about 1879 – but he still thinks highly of Tom Collishaw, and he called to mind the height from which he used to deliver the ball. He also told me a funny tale of how they formed the Star of Hope Juniors. There was a social meeting of some kind at the Lawrence-street Mission-room, the place from which the Star of Hope club sprang – I remember how actively identified the McStockers were with the place – and a dozen of the boys present adjourned to the boiler-house at the rear of the mission-room. There, round the hot boiler, they decided to form the Star of Hope Juniors. Mr Pearce told me how interested he was in the Handbook, and said it had been the means of putting him in touch with his old Star of Hope friend, Mr J Hussey, who, the reader may remember, wrote to me from Coventry in reference to some of the paragraphs I wrote concerning the club.

Census 1911: 99, Ash Rd. Aston, Warwickshire

William Frederick Collishaw – married 13 yrs – age 50 – born 1861, Hickling Notts – carpenter and joiner
Lillian Collishaw – wife, married 13 yrs, 3 children born alive, all still living, none died – age 38 – born 1873, Aston, Warks
Miriam Mildred Collishaw – daughter – age 12 – born 1899, Saltley, Birmingham
Elizabeth Grace Collishaw – daughter – age 9 – born 1902, Saltley, Birmingham
Lillian Eva Collishaw – daughter – age 4 – born 1907, Saltley, Birmingham
Thomas Sheasby – father-in-law – widower – age 67 – born 1844, Birmingham, Warwick – superannuated fitter

Census 1921: 127, Reginald Road, Saltley, Birmingham, Warwickshire

William Frederick Collishaw – married – age 60/8 – born 1860, Hickling Notts – carpenter and joiner – employed by Ansells Brewery – one living child under 16
Lillian Collishaw – wife, married 13yrs, 3 children born alive, all still living, none died – age 48/10 – born 1872, Aston, Warks – home duties
Marion Mildred Collishaw – daughter – age 22/8 – born 1898, Birmingham – clerk employed by the Birmingham Liberal Assoc.
Elizabeth Grace Collishaw – daughter – age 19/5 – born 1902, Birmingham – manageress employed by Pawnbroking William F Collishaw
Lillian Eva Collishaw – daughter – age 14/11 – born 1906, Birmingham
Thomas Sheasby – father-in-law – widower – age 77/6 – born 1844, Birmingham, Warwick – engineer retired, employer Harrison & Cook Principal Pin & Nail Manufacturers

(undated) possible work photograph of WFC (probably far right, middle row) – further detail, needed:

(undated) probable work photo; WFC likely to be, far right middle row

Birmingham Evening Despatch, Friday 21 July, 1933 (with photograph; Mr Thomas Sheasby (left), aged 89, and Mr F Collishaw, his son-in-law, aged 72, both of South Yardley, are two grand old men, one of engineering and the other of Warwickshire cricket)

Two Grand Old Men of Birmingham

Engineer and Cricketer Reminisce

Days of the Comet

By EF Iddon

This is the story of two grand old men. One – a veteran of engineering, Mr Thomas Sheasby, aged 89; the other – a veteran of the Warwickshire Cricket XI, Mr Frederick Collishaw, aged 72, and the son-in-law of Mr Sheasby.

I found both sitting on their lawn at 123, Church-road, South Yardley, to-day, talking of the old days. Mr Sheasby bears a striking resemblance to Sir Oliver Lodge, and conversation with him adds colour to the thought. Like the scientist he has an imposing forehead, silver hair and beard, and, more important, a keen, flashing intellect.

Flawless Memory.

His memory is without flaw. He resurrected incidents long dead and made them vivid.

“Ah,” he murmured. “I remember when Queen Victoria came to Aston-road, Birmingham. There were ten thousand children to greet her – they will all be grandpas and grandmas now – and they sang some beautiful songs. At night there was a terrific thunderstorm. It would be more than half a century ago but I remember it as clear as the day.

“A funny thing, you know, what remains in your mind after all sorts of troubles and tribulations have come and gone,” he continued. “I shall never forget a great comet in the sky like a huge kite flaming. Everyone in Birmingham used to dash out-of-doors at night to see it. That was years and years ago before motor-cars and such things.”

Modern Birmingham.

I asked him about the modern Birmingham. “Why, young man, I could not recognise it yesterday when I went on the annual trip of the Superannuated engineers,” he said. “I was lost. Where there used to be green fields and peace now there are buildings and tumult.”

Mr Sheasby served his apprenticeship at C and W Horwoods. Later he worked as an engineer at the National Arms and Ammunition Co and subsequently he looked after the machinery of the firm of Sir William Cook. He likes nothing better than to have a spanner in his hand and a pair of overalls on his back. He thinks hard work and long walks are behind his fitness and longevity. Frequently, in his heyday he worked 105 hours in a week and walked to Coventry and back at the weekend.

Mr Collishaw.

He introduced his son-in-law, Mr Frederick Collishaw, whose cricketing prowess was the talk of old Warwickshire. Mr Collishaw still lives in the world of the willow. He is not too well nowadays but manages to get along to the County ground occasionally.

He said: “I am not one of those old men who say the cricketers of to-day aren’t as good as the old-timers. I think Sutcliffe is as fine a bat as ever W.G. Grace was. Of course, the famous doctor was a real card. A rum character and a grand cricketer. The best cricketers to-day? Well, that’s a teaser.”

His Choice.

He stroked his brow ruminatingly, “Sutcliffe, Hammond and Larwood are my choice. All of ‘em real good players.”

Mr Collishaw was the first man to score a century on the County Ground at Edgbaston. It is his fondest memory. He demonstrated to me how he glided the fast ball to the boundary time after time.

It was hard to leave these Grand Old Men. Their valiant old hearts are full of fire; their memories crammed with deeds of derring-do. They are the finest type of English gentlemen.

Two Grand Old Men Reminisce, Evening_Despatch_21_July_1933

1936: Evening Despatch, Monday 3 February, 1936

Hit First Century at Edgbaston

Cricket Veteran’s Death

Mr Fred Collishaw

The funeral will take place on Wednesday in Birmingham of Mt William Frederick Collishaw, known as Fred Collishaw, of 46, Old Farm-road, Stechford, the cricketer who was the first player to score a century on the Warwickshire county cricket ground at Edgbaston.

Mr Collishaw, who died just before midnight on Friday last, was born at Hickley (sic), Notts, on 2 October, 1860.

The family removed to Birmingham in 1875 upon the father obtaining a position as carpenter and joiner in the town. Fred Collishaw, who was then a boy of 15, in due course got a similar position with the Brampton Cycle Chain Co., and he was allowed time occasionally to attend cricket matches.

His First Club.

His first club was the Star of Hope, which played at Adderley Park. He became a professional for Warwickshire in 1885, the year before the county ground opened, and played on the Aston Lower Ground, the Butts Ground, Coventry, Leamington, and other towns where Warwickshire played before they settled at their present headquarters.

Mr Collishaw played in the first match at Edgbaston, and he made the first 100 on the ground in a county match in 1988 against Leicestershire when he scored 145.

He was a very fine batsman, and his favourite stroke was the cut. He was also a good right-hand bowler.

Church Worker

He was connected with Warwickshire from 1886 until 1892 inclusive.

He was a member of the Belmont-row Methodist Church all his life until the church closed down a few years ago, and he was also a Sunday school teacher, and a member of the choir.

The funeral service will take place at Alum Rock-road, Wesleyan Church on Wednesday at 1.0, and the interment at Yardley Cemetery.

1936: Birmingham Chronicle 4^th February

Old Warwickshire Cricketer Dead

First to Hit Century on Edgbaston Ground

An old Warwickshire cricketer, who achieved a lasting place in the records by scoring the first century to be made on the County Ground at Edgbaston – Mr William Frederick (otherwise Fred) Collishaw, has died at his residence, 46, Old Farm-road, Stechford, at the age of 75.

He was a native of Hickling, Notts. His family removed to Birmingham in 1875 on the father obtaining a position as carpenter and joiner. Fred Collishaw, who was then a boy of 15, in due course got a similar position with the Brampton Cycle Chain Co., and he was allowed time occasionally to attend cricket matches.

Cricket Career

Mr Collishaw played in the first match at Edgbaston, and he made the first 100 on the ground in a county match in 1888 against Leicestershire, when he scored 145.

He was a very fine batsman, and his favourite stroke was the cut. He was also a good right-hand bowler.

He was connected with Warwickshire from 1885 until 1892 inclusive. In the latter year, and in 1893, he played as professional with Wednesbury in the Birmingham and District League.

He was a member of the Belmont-row Methodist Church all his life until the church closed down a few years ago, and he was also a Sunday school teacher, and a member of the choir.

The funeral service will take place at Alum rock-road, Wesleyan Church to-morrow at 1.30, and the interment at Yardley Cemetery.

[Birming]ham Mail, Monday Feb […] 1936: Mr Fred Collishaw – Former Warwickshire Cricketer’s Death – First County Ground Century.

The death has taken place at his residence, 46, Old Farm Road, Stechford, of Mr William Frederick Collishaw, known as Fred Collishaw, a former professional player for the Warwickshire County Cricket Club and the first man to score a century on the Warwickshire County Ground at Edgbaston, in 1888, when he made 145 runs against Leicestershire.

Born at Hickling, in Nottinghamshire, on October 2, 1860, Mr Collishaw came to Birmingham with his father in 1875. Collishaw, then a boy of 15, followed the occupation of a carpenter and joiner, which was the trade in which his father was employed. His firm allowed him off to play for Warwickshire in a match or two.

The young cricketer’s first club in Birmingham was the Star of Hope which played on Adderley Park. He first came into the Warwickshire team as a professional in 1885, which was before the present County Ground was acquired, this being opened in 1886.

His first matches as a county player would be at Aston Lower grounds on the Butts ground at Coventry, and at Leamington and Rugby. He was not only a good batsman – being a clever exponent of the cut stroke, but he also showed ability as a bowler. As a batsman he might be described as playing in the Nottingham style.

He played for the county until 1892. In that year and 1893, he was playing as a professional in the Birmingham and District league for Wednesday (sic), in which team Mr RV Ryder, now secretary of the Warwickshire County Club, also played.

The league then allowed clubs to play three professionals, and the other professionals in the Wednesday team were Jack Horton and Sam Morgan.

From the time he came to Birmingham until it was closed down three years ago, Mr Collishaw was associated with Belmont Row Methodist Church, in connection with which he was a Sunday school teacher for 40 years, being also a member of the choir. He leaves a widow and three married daughters.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 1.30 at Alum Rock Methodist Church, to be followed by the interment at Yardley Cemetery.

1936: Mr F Collishaw – Warwickshire Cricket Veteran’s Funeral

In an address at the latter, the resident minister, the Rev. Ralph Tooth, paid high tribute to Mr Collishaw, and revealed that after cricket matches he would go to prayer meetings.

“He had a splendid record as a cricketer, and a very distinguished place in the world of clean and fine sport.”

“He lived a full life of Christian service.”

The hymns, “Jesus, Lover of my Soul” and “O, Love that will not let me go” were sung.

1936: Birmingham Gazette, Tuesday 4th February, 1936

Fred Collishaw Dead

Fred Collishaw, the old Warwickshire cricketer, whose death is reported today, was not the only Nottinghamshire man in the Warwickshire team of his days. In 1886 and 1887 there was John Grundy, a son of Jimmy Grundy, one of the historic figures of Notts and England cricket in the old days. Since Grundy’s days, incidentally, Warwickshire wicket-keepers have been a long-lived race. From 1888 there have only been three “regulars” – Lilley, “Tiger” Smith, and Jack Smart.

(The Grundy family is also recorded in Hickling through these years but it isn’t known whether they were connected to the cricketers of the same name)

Probate 28^th January 1937: Collishaw William Frederick of 46 Old Farm-road Saltley Birmingham died 31 January 1936 Probate Birmingham 28 January to Lilian Collishaw widow. Effects £746 9s. 2d.

1999: Evening Mail Thursday April 15^th 1999

Cricketer’s daughter dies, 92

The daughter of the first professional cricketer to make a century at Edgbaston Cricket Ground has died following a long battle against Alzheimer’s disease. Fred Collishaw made history with his 145 score for Warwickshire against Leicestershire in 1885. The achievement was deemed so great that the crowd passed the hat round to give him a financial reward. Fred died in 1936. His daughter Lilly Thomas has now passed away, aged 92. She was born in Saltley and lived in [Stachford] and Castle Bromwich before moving to London several years ago. Her daughter, Gillian Harrison, said: “Mum was always aware and very proud of her father’s place in sporting history.”

Hickling Local History Group

Hickling (Notts) Local History Group

William Frederick (Fred) Collishaw – cricketer