Headingly Cricket Ground, Leeds: William Booth - Cricketer to Soldier

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There is a plaque just inside the Leonard Hutton Gates at Headingley, Leeds, with the names of five Yorkshire cricketers who died serving in 20th Century wars. One of those is Major William Booth, born in Pudsey in 1886, and who died a 2nd Lieutenant in the West Yorkshire Regiment during the battle of the Somme. As he lay dying he was comforted by Abraham Waddington (Abe as he was known), another cricket player who went on to play for Yorkshire after the war. Booth’s earliest cricket was played at Fulneck School, Pudsey. He eventually signed for Yorkshire and played in two Tests for England against South Africa. He was described by fellow players as “a great batsman and a great bowler”. At the outbreak of war he signed up as a volunteer with the Leeds Pals. He died on the first day of the Somme offensive on 1 July 1916. His sister never got over his death and kept a candle burning in his bedroom window in the hope that he would return. Location: Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS6 3BU Image shows Major William Booth (left) and Abraham Waddington (right) courtesy Yorkshire Country Cricket Archive Committee Presented by BBC Reporter, Harry Gration