THE LATE MR. GEORGE WINTLE
A LEADING NEWBURY TRADESMAN

Today we announce the death of Mr. George Wintle, one of our leading and best known tradesmen, which took place at his residence in Northbrook-street, at the age of 73. The deceased was descended from a Gloucester family, who had been long established at Dursley. Having served his apprenticeship at Newman and Lance's (now Lance & Co.), of Cheltenham, one of the largest drapery houses in the West of England, he set sail for the Antipodes, spending a period of six years in Tasmania. The Old Country, however, had irresistible attractions, so he returned, and was led in the year 1869 to settle in Newbury. He was joined by his brother Alfred, and they succeeded to the old established business in Northbrook-street, then carried on by Mr. Edward Plumner, and formerly in the possession of Mr. W.C. Lay.

The partnership did not last many years. Alfred went out, since when the style of the firm has been that of George Wintle. The connection, however, increased, and led to the adjoining premises being secured. Having made for himself a position, he married in 1875 the only daughter of the late Mr. Henry Flint, formerly Alderman of the Borough. Mr. Wintle also entered the Town Council, but retired after a comparatively short term of office. For many years he had been a director of the Building Society. Otherwise he has not taken a very prominent part in the public of the town. Religiously he was identified with the Congregational Church, and for some thirty-five years exercised the office of Superintendent of the Sunday Schools. He was also a deacon of the church.

His recreations were music and cricket. When in the Antipodes, he represented Tasmania against other colonies in inter-Colonial competitions. On settling down at Newbury, he became a member of the club, and continued in association with it until the war caused its abandonment. He did not shine as a bat, although some of his vigorous hits are recorded as well as occasions when he gave the field an experience of leather hunting. It was, however, as a bowler that he excelled. He was of a medium pace, but had what was then very unusual, the power of making the ball curve in the air, and so could “harvest” his victims before they were fully aware. One local experience is told of him. Playing in a match between the teams of Newbury and Kingsclere, Mr. John Porter had secured the two star players, W.G. Grace and his brother E.M. Grace, both of them in the height of their cricketing career. Mr. Wintle was put on to bowl for Newbury, and at the third ball took W.G.'s wicket for a duck, following it up by getting E.M. caught in the long field. Thus he had the unique distinction of disposing of England's two best batsmen during the same afternoon.

For several years he had ceased to be a playing member, and declining health led to his gradual withdrawal from business, in which his son, Mr. George, was now able to take part. The loss of his wife took much of his enjoyment out of life, but when he came to be laid aside he received the kindly and attentive ministrations of his daughters and daughter-in-law. The end came on Thursday last, when the possession of that well developed frame, pleasing personality, musical voice, and features once so radiant and cheery, ceased to be. He was laid to rest on the followingMonday at the Cemetery in the same grave as that of his wife who died in 1906, the service which preceded the interment being at the Congregational Church, at which an impressive address was made by the pastor.

[There follows the text of the speech by the pastor, followed by a long list of mourners. The following are the family members.]

The mourners were Mr. and Mrs. G.H.F. Wintle (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. and Mrs H. Howard (daughter and son-in-law), Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Britten (daughters), Mr. and Mrs. F. Frampton (daughter and son-in-law), Mrs. Dixon Burton (daughter and son-in-law),Mr. George Buchanan (Sergt. 14th Gloucesters) and Mrs. Buchanan (daughter and son-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Ravenor (daughter and son-in-law), Miss J. Wintle (sister), Mr. John Flint (brother-in-law), Mrs. Robert Martin junior, Miss H. Paxton.

[Followed by a long list others present and another of floral tributes.]

The coffin was of plain oak with brass furniture and name plate inscribed:

GEORGE WINTLE
Died May 11th, 1916
Aged 73 years

CRICKET. GRAND MATCH AT KINGSCLERE.
On Tuesday last a match, which created much interest in the neighbourhood, was played on the Recreation Ground Kingsclere, between twelve of the Newbury Cricket Club aud a like number selected by Mr. John Porter, the well-known trainer for Mr. Gretton.

It having been announced that the noted cricketers Dr. W. G. Grace, Mr. G. F. Grace, Mr. W. Gilbert, and Mr. I'Anson—who visited the neighbourhood for a similar match last year—would play in Mr. Porter's team, a large number of people from all parts of the district assembled to watch the game.
The spot selected for the wickets commanded a splendid view the surrounding country, and the ground had been well rolled and partly re-laid for the occasion. A tent for the accommodation of the visitors had been erected. The weather was beautifully fine, and the day was every way pleasant for both players and visitors.

Play commenced shortly after eleven o'clock, the home team, who had won the toss, deciding to give the visitors the privilege of batting first. The game opened with the Rev. A. S. Batson and Mr. A. B. Belcher, to the bowling of Dr. W. G. Grace and Mr. I'Anson. A maiden over having been bowled by W. G. Grace, Belcher's wicket was attacked by FAnson, only two runs being scored by a cut to square leg. A maiden having been accredited to each bowler, Batson was well caught mid-off from the last ball of the champion's over. The next batsman was J. Flint, who soon scored a couple to leg from I'Anson.

Belcher now began to make himself at home, and scored two from two successive balls off Grace. After a single by Belcher, Flint was disposed of by an easy catch at slip. Belcher increased the score by drive to mid-off. Slack made a neat hit to leg for two, and in the succeeding over drove W. G. Grace to the off for three. When the score was at 18 only, W. G. Grace missed an easy catch at point from Slack.
A single only having been added by Slack, a catch by W. G. Grace placed Belcher hors de combat ; three wickets for 19 runs. Another good hit to leg by Slack for three raised the score to 22, when Clift was caught at the wicket by Gilbert, from a ball off Grace. On being joined by Jackson, Slack made very pretty hit to long-on for three. A brace of singles then followed from Slack's bat, after which Jackson was given out leg-before-wicket to I Anson's bowling; five wickets for 27 runs. A. B. Roberts succeeded him, and, after scoring a single, drove a ball from W. G. Grace to the off for three.

In the first ball of the next over, however, he was clean bowled by I'Anson six wickets for 31 runs. Haines then essayed to bat, and put the last ball of I 1 Anson's over between the slips for two. Slack's next cut nearly cost him his wicket, the ball passing too close to slip to be comfortable ; two runs were, however, made. Another single from the same batsman was then secured, and then Haines drove G. Grace on for a couple.

The next over of I'Anson's proved unfortunate for Slack, who was bowled by a Yorker seven wickets for 38 runs. Mr. Glover having joined Haines, runs came more freely, the incoming batsman making two and a single off Grace, and Haines adding two by a good hit to leg from the same bowler. I'Anson then bowled an over for one run to the credit of Mr. Glover, who made three off W. G. Grace by a hard hit to the on.

One or two singles were then made; Haines placed two successive balls from I'Anson between the slips for a brace of twos, but in the next over Glover was easily caught at point; eight wickets for 55 runs. Mr. Bazett then took the bat, but had a very short life, for, having scored two from W. G. Grace, he was bowled by I'Anson off his bat. A bye for three was scored in this over; 10 wickets for 60 runs. Mr. Wintle did not spend much time at the wicket, being clean bowled by the second ball; 11 for 60 runs. 

Kingsclere opened their innings with W. G. Grace and J. Porter to the bowling of Wintle ; a leviathan hit from Mr. Wintle's fourth ball, made by Mr. Grace, sent the ball flying over the bowler's head out of the ground. Four were scored for this. Mr. Roberts then commenced bowling to Mr. Porter, and bye for 2 having been scored, Mr. Porter's fate was sealed by catch by the wicket-keeper. Gilbert having become Mr. W. G. Grace's partner, a single or two were made by Gilbert, and then the champion's wicket utterly collapsed to a splendid ball from Mr. Wintle, amid the cheers of the spectators, for although some disappointment was naturally felt that Mr. Grace could not make a better display of his skill as a batsman, it was felt that some reward should be given to Mr. Wintle for his excellent bowling.

Two wickets for 8 runs. Mr. J. Porter, jun., on coming in commenced with some singles, being aided in this by Mr. Gilbert, who eventually drove a ball from Mr. Wintle to the off into the shed near the boundary, scoring 3. The monotony of getting singles was relieved by very pretty cut by Gilbert for a 2, Mr. Porter joining in a similar feat from ball by Roberts, the only hit of importance being a 3 by Gilbert, after which Porter, who had played very carefully for youth, was run out. On being joined by I'Anson, runs came freely for short time, the new comer scoring 3 off Roberts, his companion adding a brace of the same number, one being from Wintle's bowling and the other from Roberts. An unfortunate i. b. w. to Wintle's bowling placed I'Anson out of the game. Four wickets for 38 runs. G. F. Grace opened his innings with a 2 from Wintle, and after a few runs in singles had been scored, luncheon was called, and the whole of the oompany adjourned to an excellent cold collation, provided in a marquee on the ground by the veteran caterer and cricketer, Newton, of Newbury.

On resuming play shortly before three o'clock beneath a brilliant sun, Gilbert increased the score by a single off Wintle, his coadjutor, the younger Grace, placing ball from Roberts to the leg for A unit by Gilbert was followed by a cut from Grace for 2, and another to the off for similar number, together with single—all off Mr. Wintle. The next few overs were bowled for a unit or two, the lull being broken by a slashing hit the on by Mr. Grace, off Roberts, for a a bye for 3, some singles, and a 2. Runs were scarce for several overs, but time went on, Grace sent Wintle out of the boundary for 3, and subsequently hit Roberts to the on, all down the hill, for 4.

Nothing of note was made for a short time, but a change of bowling was resolved upon, H. E. Jackson going on in place of Roberts. His first over, however, yielded seven runs, all to the credit of Mr. Grace, who, getting into " slogging " form, scored a 3 and two 2's from Mr. Wintle. The succeeding over of Mr. Jackson was unproductive of runs. Roberts here took the ball from Wintle at the upper end. When Gilbert had raised his score to 36, he was missed at long on by J. Flint. In the succeeding over from Roberts he drove the ball to the on for 4, following with cut for 3 from tbe next ball of the same bowler. Belcher was then tried as bowler in place of Jackson, but his first ball to Gilbert yielded a 3, followed by alternate singles by both batsmen. Another change was also made at the upper end, Haines taking the ball from Roberts. Runs, however, still came freely, Grace scoring a 3 from Haines and like number from Belcher, Gilbert in the meantime making 2, a brace of 3's, besides singles from Haines and Belcher alternately; Three's then became almost as " plentiful as blackberries," until Grace was cleverly stumped by the Rev. A. S. Batson, from ball in the first over of Wintle, who resumed bowling in place of Belcher.

Grace's innings of 61 occupied about an hour manipulation, the score being made up of two 4's, nine 3's, seven 2's and singles; 162 for five wickets. F. Hobbs was the new comer, Roberts again going on to bowl in the room of Belcher, to the batting of Gilbert, who in the first over made a drive to the on for 4 ; he also drove Wintle for several runs. A further change of bowling was then considered advisable, Glover being the new man, trying his slow breaks."

Hobbs found some difficulty in playing these, but from the first ball pitched to Gilbert, four was scored to squareleg. Sundry runs were then added by each player from each bowler, until at last Gilbert got Roberts away to the on, down the hill for four, and by another contribution of four from Glover raised the score to 200. Another change of bowling was then deemed necessary, Clift replacing Roberts. Hobbs was soon after bowled by Belcher. George Porter, who came in next sharing the same fate.

Gilbert's next companion was J. Barnes, who soon scored a couple of singles, Gilbert contributing another three off Belcher. After an over from Olift from which sundry singles were made, Belcher clean bowled Gilbert, whose excellent innings closed for 99 runs. His score was made up of 4 fours, 12 threes, twos, and singles. He had been at the wicket two hours. The remainder of the Kingsclere team did not offer very obstinate resistance, but the score was increased to 225.

With 165 to the had on the first innings, the Newbury men after a short, refreshing interval, again took to the willow, but playing somewhat rashly, and being unfortunate, their wickets fell fast, the game being closed for only 68 runs. One noteworthy feature in the innings was the hard hitting of Slack, who scored 21 in six hits, sending the ball all over the field. Mr. Glover also hit very freely for 12.

The umpires were—Mr. Joseph Elliott for Newbury, and Mr. Cordrey for Kingsclere.