His first recorded match was for Sixteen of Oxfordshire against Kent on the Prince of Wales ground, Oxford, at the end of May 1849, at the age of nineteen. He scored 0 and took no wickets.

In 1849 he represented Berkshire and from 1850 to 1857 Oxfordshire, his native county.

From about 1855 he was a professional bowler with the Liverpool Club, on their old ground in Wavertree. His game for the North was against the South on the ground of the Manchester, Broughton Club.

In 1865 he was called upon by Lancashire to assist them in their initial first-class match, against Middlesex at Old Trafford.

He had the reputation of being a useful batsman and a good bowler and he continued at the Liverpool Club for some years, being also groundsman.

In the 1881 Census it is impossible to identify him but in 1901 a William Perry, born at Oxford in 1830, living at 53 Walton Street, Oxford, a boot maker on his own account working at home. His wife Elizabeth is aged 51 and they have a adopted son aged 8. This may be our man.

The Newbury Weekly News for 27th March 1913 records the death of William Perry on the 15th March, at the age of 82. He is survived by his widow, Elizabeth and seven children. The last years of his working life were spent as a carter to Mr. T.Gunter, of Waterside Farm, who he served for thirteen years, having spent the previous fifteen years working for Mr. Joachim of Henwick. He worked hard for the local Primitive Methodist Chapel and Sunday School.

(Article: Copyright © 2004 Don Ambrose)

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