Wisden on the Great War: The Lives of Cricket's Fallen 1914-1918

- Blurb -

For the first time Wisden brings together all its wartime obituaries, as well as a Roll of Honour of those who died. Wisden on the Great War also features details on some of those who survived, as well as an additional (previously unpublished) 400 names of first-class cricketers decorated for gallantry, and a commentary about how each county was affected by wartime. Wisden published a mournful record of cricketers who fell, yet still the County Cricket clubs struggled on and Wisden's brief reports for each year details a county-by-county record. Any matches that took place were mainly to raise funds for war charities and these, too, are included. The inclusion of some of the Editor's commentary adds personal insight to particular tragedies, including the loss of one of Wisden's editorial team in 1915: Ernest D. Allen, who for several years had assisted on the Almanack, joined the Army during the first week of the war. By the time the book was printed, he was dead. Also included are the Wisden obituaries of giants from the world of literature with links to cricket ' such as Rupert Brooke (died 1915) and Siegfried Sassoon (survived) ' as well as significant players who died during the war but not on service, such as WG Grace, Victor Trumper and AE Stoddart, all of whom perished in 1915. As the centenary of the start of the conflict approaches, Wisden on the Great War provides a timely acknowledgement of the players of our national game who fought and died for their country