Cricket / Naval Interest: a collection of letters, portrait ...

Hammer

£480

Cricket / Naval Interest: a collection of letters, portrait photographs, an album of early 20th Century postcards mainly to Oliver Underwood and further loose postcards, WWI postcards, family photographs for the Underwood and Attewell families of Keyworth, Bunny and Ruddington Nottinghamshire notabley items pertaining to their forebearer William Underwood Esq (1852-1914). Underwood from Ruddington was a Professional Cricketer played for Colts XXII 1875 & 1876, Nottingham CC 1st XI for one season, he also had professional engagements at Rock Ferry Liverpool and Edinburgh Collegiate. In 1880 he became coach to the Boys Cadets at the training ship HMS Britannia Dartmouth, a position he held until 1903/4. Whilst at Dartmouth, he played county cricket for Kingmear Club, Devon. This lot includes letters of recommendation, engagement and references regarding his time of coach at HMS Britannia including:

1. 72 King Street Edinburgh,letter dated November 1879,

I have much pleasure testifying to the merits of William Underwood of Ruddington, Notts, as a professional cricketer and groundsman

During the two years he has been engaged as "coach" to the Edinburgh Collegiate School he has brought up the club in a really wonderful manner. He bells, right arm, medium with great effect and is a first class batsman at the same time knowing how to impart his knowledge to others.

He made friends with all his pupils by his kindly attentions to them

Alex B Bryden Capt R.C S.C.C 1879
A sepia photograph of the Colliegate team included, mounted and unframed

2. Letter from R Daft [Proprietor: Cricket, Football & British Sports Warehouse, Nottingham] to Sidney Rollestone Esq HMS Britannia Jan 19th 1880 recommending William Underwood to the role of Cadets Cricket Coach], the letter reads:

I enclose you Mr Underwoods testimonials which speak for themselves. I can from personal knowledge confirm all that they say in his praise. He was .... ..... with S Sharpe the old professional to Rock Ferry Liverpool Club which was a capital start for a young one and gave him a thorough knowledge of the duties of a professional..........

He is a very quiet respectful man ......He is a good bowler & his style of batting well worth copying. ...... I have many applications from Clubs for m & it is difficult to get them fully suitable such as Underwood is for any place.

........ will you let me know as soon as possible if you engage him so that I may know (letter in five parts)

3. Letter from Lt. Sidney Rolleston H.M.S Britannia Dartmouth to William Underwood

Sir

Mr Daft having recommended you to me for the position of professional to H.M.S Britannia I showed your testimonials this morning to the Officer in Command was fully satisfied. We think that it would be satisfactory to yourself, if you were to see the place and have a personal interview before being finally engaged, we of course pay all expenses connectec with the journey. Our season commences immediately after Easter holidays and lasts till about the 25th July...... 4 Guineas a week...
I remain, Yours Truly Sidney Rolleston Lieutenant

The lot also includes six letters of character and excellent references regarding Underwood's time as Boys Cadets Coach HMS Britannia from the following:

4. HMS Phoebe [Sydney, Australia August 3r/04] letter from George A Hardinge, Commander who was Lieutenant during Underwood's tenure at Britannia, Hardinge was the ship cricket captain and recommends Underwood as "... he is thoroughly sober and trust worthy"....
2. 21 Chester Square SW, 24 August (19)04, letter from Vice Admiral George Moore "Having commanded HMS Britannia from 1894-1897 I have much pleasure in testifying to the valuable services of Underwood the cricket professional....
3. letter dated 17th Sept (19)04 signed Captain John de Robeck [later Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Michael de Robeck, 1st Baronet, GCB, GCMG, GCVO] which reads: "Underwood was the cricket professional to H.M.S Britannia during two periods I served in the that ship ... his character of which I formed the highest opinion. He was a good cricketer, up right and straight forward in all things and can strongly recommend him.....
4. Letter from Rear Admiral Michael Pelham O'Callaghan, August 25th 1904 which reads: Underwood acted as professional cricketer and coach to the Cadets of HMS Britannia ..... he was there when I was First Lieutenant and Captain of the Ship. And always carried out his duties with good... and great patience...
5. letter dated 14 August 1904 from Herbert Onslow, retired Rear Admiral 1905, which reads: .... "Underwood was the Naval Cadets cricket pro during the time I was Commander of the HMS Britannia ..1889 & 1891. I always fourn him a thoroughly sobar trustworthy man...

Also included James's Lillywhite's Cricketers Annual 1894, a sepia photograph of William Underwood with bat, a headed letter HMS Sans Pareil from George Hardinge to William Underwood enclosing money for a bat and discussing a possible gratuity rather than a pension [circa 1903/4] [1 box - Q]