Cricketing uncle was an inspiration

It prompted Mrs Betty Russell to kindly send us the two photographs printed here of Blunham Cricket Club during the 1936-37 season and one of its players Thomas Walter Norman who was Betty’s uncle.

“My mother’s twin brother Thomas Walter Norman was a well respected honorary secretary, treasurer and player for the club” she explained.

He is pictured as a player in this team photo second from right in the middle row (seated).

In the back row standing from left to right are: R Cullip, A Buckle, F Battle, T Maries, F Sims, T Joyce, J Little and R Norman.

Seated left to right are: R Chapman, G Maries, E Joyce, E Clarke, T Norman and C Saunders.

In the front sitting cross legged are R Norman and L Sims.

Thomas Norman became a sergeant in the 1st Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment and was killed in action in Italy in 1944, the year the portrait photograph on the right was taken, and coincidentally the year Betty was born.

“He did manage to see me before he was killed” said Betty. “His letters home which I have in my keeping are an inspiration even after all these years.”

Thanks go to Betty.