Brief profile of R.G.Barlow
by Don Ambrose
BARLOW, Richard Gorton.
Professional.
Born at Barrow Bridge, Bolton, Lancashire, 28th May 1851.
Died at Stanley Park, Blackpool, Lancashire, 31st July 1919.
Left school at the age of fourteen and went to work in a printing office as an apprentice compositor. Leaving this he became a moulder with Dobson & Barlow in Bolton but later in 1865 his father obtained work in the Staveley Iron Works in Derbyshire and he moved there with his parents. He at first played his cricket with the Staveley Works Cricket Club, where his father had become secretary. He first went out as a cricket professional with the Farsley, Leeds, Club in 1871 and from 1873 to 1877 he was engaged by the Saltaire Club, at Bradford.
He first played for Lancashire in 1871 and between then and 1891 played 249 times for the county. In total he played in 351 first-class matches, including 17 Tests, and made three tours to Australia. He was a first-class umpire 1894-1914 and stood in one Test Match. He eventually retired to Blackpool, where he died.
The 1881 Census finds him living at 385 Stretford Road, Stretford, Manchester, with his wife Harriet, aged 29 and born at Ashover, Derbyshire, and his daughter Eliza A., aged 9.
(Article: Copyright © 2003 Don Ambrose)
