The ECB has launched a campaign of remembrance to commemorate the cricketers who served in the Armed Forces during the First World War.
County cricket was suspended between 1914-19 with at least 210 players ditching the cricket square for military duty. The ECB will draw attention to the stories of some of those who served ahead of the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day with a collection of accounts for those who fought.
The campaign called Cricket Remembers has commissioned cricket author David Frith to recount poignant tales of the conflict with a feature titled ‘County Cricketers and the 1914-18 War’.
ECB chief executive, Tom Harrison said: “Cricket Remembers highlights the contribution made by people from cricket to the nation’s war effort.
“We can only imagine the courage of those who went to fight and it is important that we commemorate their sacrifice.
“Through this campaign, we hope all followers of cricket can join us in remembering those from the game who played their part in the First World War.”
This week, three England cricket teams will also commemorate Armistice across the world with the Men’s in Sri Lanka, Women’s in West Indies and the Lions in United Arab Emirates.
At home, the ECB and MCC have also partnered with There But Not There, a nationwide project to educate all generations on the attrition of the First World War and the sacrifice paid by millions. This has seen a Tommy silhoutte assembled at Lord’s Cricket Ground, above.
