Nottinghamshire CCC have today unveiled a memorial for the six members of the club who died during the First World War to mark the centenary of the end of the conflict.
Alexander Crawford, Ralph Hemingway, Harold Hodges, Charles Pepper, William Riley and Harvey Staunton all played for Notts before the start of the war and were killed while on active duty.
Relatives of the six servicemen were present at the event which was conducted by chairman Richard Tennant, with the wood carving, designed and created by Nottingham-based craftsman Martin Sommerville using locally-sourced oak, located at the side of the steps to the Pavilion.
“In remembering those who fell 100 years ago we ensure that we do not forget their sacrifice and the part that ordinary men and women played in defending our nation,” said Tennant.
“Many County Cricketers answered the call to arms and 142 of those brave men lost their lives in the service of their country.
“Today we honour and remember six of those men who will forever be part of the Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club family.”
Audrey Burleigh, who serves in the Royal Air Force and is second cousin, twice removed, of Captain Alexander Crawford, was present at the ceremony and was proud to see her relative honoured.
“It’s a massive honour and it means so much to all our family to have Alexander commemorated at Trent Bridge,” she said.
“My cousin was named after Alexander so he’s an important part of our family.
“It’s a very special day to know that he’ll always be remembered here at Trent Bridge.”
Two talks will be held across lunch (12:30pm) on the next two days of the County Championship clash with Yorkshire to commemorate the club's links to the First World War.
On Wednesday 5 September the talk will be on 'Remembering the Pavilion Hospital' whilst Thursday 6 September will concentrate on 'What Happened on the Pitch'.
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