William Napper (Irish cricketer)

William Henry Napper MC (5 November 1880 – August 1967) was an Irish first-class cricketer and British Army officer.

William Napper

Personal information
Full name	William Henry Napper
Born	5 November 1880 County Wexford, Ireland
Died	August 1967 (aged 86) Ganges Harbour, British Columbia, Canada
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Slow left-arm orthodox
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1908–1909	Ireland
Career statistics
Competition First-class Matches 5 Runs scored 18 Batting average 2.00 100s/50s –/– Top score 10 Balls bowled 306 Wickets 7 Bowling average 31.85 5 wickets in innings – 10 wickets in match – Best bowling 4/72 Catches/stumpings 2/–
Source: Cricinfo, 26 October 2018

Born at County Wexford, Napper received his education in England at Shrewsbury School, before returning to Ireland in 1903 to study at Trinity College, Dublin.[1] While studying there, he played club cricket for Dublin University Cricket Club.[1] Napper made his debut in first-class cricket for Ireland against the touring Gentlemen of Philadelphia at Dublin in 1908.[2] He played a further first-class match for Ireland in 1908 against Yorkshire at Dublin, and made one appearance in 1909 against Scotland at Perth.[2] Napper toured North America with the Gentlemen of Ireland on their 1909 tour, playing minor matches against Ottawa, Ontario, All New York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia Colts.[1][3] He played two first-class matches for the Gentlemen of Ireland against the Gentlemen of Philadelphia at Haverford and Philadelphia.[2] He took seven wickets across his five first-class matches with his slow left-arm orthodox, at a bowling average of 31.85 and best innings figures of 4/72.[4]

Napper did not return from the tour, instead settling in Canada.[1] He returned to the United Kingdom to fight in World War I.[1] He enlisted with the Royal Army Service Corps in October 1914, with the rank of Second Lieutenant.[5] He was promoted to the rank of Temporary Captain in December 1914.[6] By December 1916, he held the rank of Temporary Major.[7] He was awarded the Military Cross for bravery during the war.[1] Napper relinquished his commission in May 1920,[8] presumably returning to Canada. During peacetime he worked as an engineer.[1] He died at Ganges Harbour in British Columbia in August 1967.[1]

References

1. "Player profile: William Henry Napper". CricketEurope. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
2. "First-Class Matches played by William Napper". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
3. "Miscellaneous Matches played by William Napper". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
4. "Player profile: William Napper". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
5. "No. 28928". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 October 1914. p. 8003.
6. "No. 29059". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 February 1915. p. 1192.
7. "No. 29886". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 1916. p. 38.
8. "No. 31895". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 May 1920. p. 5438.

External links

• William Napper at ESPNcricinfo