Croquet Gazette: Who is George Mills?

From April/May 2011 (Issue 331) of the Croquet Gazette...



Click the images to enlarge each page in a new window!

Many thanks to the Croquet Association for allowing me space to be a guest author in that issue. For an interactive copy of the entire issue which can be increased to an even greater size, go to: http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1s2ne/CroquetGazette/resources/17.htm

Profile: Rev. Canon Ralph Creed Meredith

It's a busy week here in the sunny South as I am expecting company this week in the form of my beautiful daughters. Hence, I'm pulling out some items here that don't require a lot of writing, and for which much of the research already has been done.

Following up on an earlier post, the Mills siblings—George, Agnes, and Violet—played croquet with and against a plethora of interesting players. One of them, the Ven. Ralph Creed Meredith [left] was, among his other accomplishments, chaplain to George VI and Elizabeth II.

More information about Meredith has come to light since I first wrote about him, and that knowledge led me to create his own Wikipedia profile. After all, he seemed to be virtually the only one in his family without one!

Here's my contribution:

The Ven. Ralph Creed Meredith, M.A., (10 July 1887 – 10 January 1970) was an Anglican Cleric who, according to the 1932 Crockford's Clerical Directory, in succession became a curate at Caverswall, Meir, Staffordshire (1912–1914), curate at St. Bartholomew's Church, Armley, Leeds (1914–1917), served the Diocese of Lichfield (1917–1918), was curate of St. Peter's Church, Harborne, Birmingham (1919–1920), and eventually took charge of the Conventional District of Bournville, a village south of Birmingham diocese from 1920-1924. His success at Bournville led the Bishop of Wellington to appoint Meredith Vicar of Whanganui, New Zealand in 1924, where he remained until 1932. He eventually became Archdeacon of Waitotara (1925–1932) as well, despite using addresses in both New Zealand and Hertfordshire, England during that time.

Meredith was a Freemason and an athlete of some note. After arriving in New Zealand in 1924, he was the winner of several New Zealand National Badminton Championships in 1927 and 1928, and was a world class croquet player, having performed for the New Zealand team competing for the 1930 MacRobertson International Croquet Shield, which fell to Australia, 3-0. Meredith also competed in numerous croquet tournaments in southern England and Ireland after relocating from The Vicarage in Windsor to Parkstone, Dorset. Meredith is credited with being the "prime mover" in the 1927 formation of Badminton New Zealand (then known as the New Zealand Badminton Association), of which he was president for two years. He was also president of the New Zealand Croquet Association and the Manawatu Association.

Meredith required surgery in April 1931 and had travelled to England for the procedure. On his return voyage, emergency surgery was required during a stopover in Port Said, Egypt. Subsequently in poor health, he accepted an offer from the Marquess of Salisbury to take over the Parish of Cheshunt, St. Albans, in Hertfordshire in 1932. According to Kelly's 1933 and 1937 Directories of Hertfordshire, Meredith served as Vicar at St. Mary the Virgin and was Rural Dean of Ware, Hertfordshire, residing at The Vicarage, Churchgate. He also served as Vicar of Windsor, 1940-1958. In 1946, Meredith was appointed Chaplain to His Majesty, King George VI, and maintained a place in the College of Chaplains of the Ecclesiastical Household of Elizabeth II on 5 August 1952.

Meredith was born in Dublin, Ireland, where he was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and Dublin University, receiving his B.A. in Ethics & Logic with Honors after the Michaelmas Term in 1909. Meredith earned his M.A. at Trinity in 1912. He had earlier been educated at Rhos College in North Wales. He married Sylvia Aynsley (sometimes Ainsley) of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, on 21 April 1915, and died in Poole, Dorset, England, where he had served as Rural Dean since 1962.


Ironically, just hours after posting the article to Wikipedia, it was happened upon by Meredith's grandson, Jules, who believed he could identify his grandfather and grandmother in the 1957 Devonshire Park photograph [left] from the website of the Bowdon Croquet Club.

Here's what Jules had to say:

"Although not 100% sure (image resolution/quality) - My grandfather is on the back row (2nd from right) and I believe that the lady (front row - 3rd from left) is my grandmother Sylvia Meredith (nee Aynsley 1894-1987). She was also a keen croquet player and, along with grandfather, was a member of the East Dorset Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club."

In addition, Bowdon's Ken Cooper passed along this bit of information from croquet legend Dr. W. P. Ormerod regarding Meredith's identification of his grandparents corresponding to the numbered Devonshire Park image [right]:

"Canon and Mrs.Creed-Meredith I knew also quite well from the 1950's. I am not convinced that No.14 is him; the height is about right but he invariably… played in his dog-collar—he also had a club foot and surgical boot which of course we can't see. I am also not certain that No.52 is Sylvia C-M, but I knew them both much better at Parkstone from 1965. However I'm sure Jules has contemporary photos of 1957."

A higher resolution photograph would certainly resolve this identity crisis, and Jules Meredith informs us that he will be talking to an uncle who can perhaps provide more detail as well as a clearer image or two!

Nevertheless, I hope this gives the reader even more insight into one of the cast of fascinating characters who populated the croquet lawns, circa 1947 – 1971, along with the Mills.

You can see Creed Meredith's Wikipedia page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Creed_Meredith.

"Ya Can't Tell the Players Without a Scorecard!"

Despite the title above hearkening back to early 20th century American baseball (a sport that's on my mind now that Spring Training has started here in Florida for northern teams), here's a breakdown of the important characters in our ongoing story of the Mills siblings of Budleigh Salterton--George, Agnes, and Violet--on the equally verdant croquet lawns of England, 1950-1971. If possible, they all have been listed with their associated club, and I've done my best to record their accomplishments on the lawns and any positions held.

If you can add any information about a player or their affiliations, offer a photograph (or a better image), or could suggest adding another interesting or important player to this list, please don't hesitate to let me know--and thank you! I will update information and images as frequently as I can [Last update: 15 July 2011].

Now, please scroll down to see the players...

	Agnes Edith "Aggie" Mills Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club Won the 1953 Luard Cup at Roehampton; for Agnes's prize lists, please click HERE
Violet Eleanor "Vi" Mills Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club Accomplished amateur in golf, lawn tennis, and croquet; participant in tournaments in all three sports throughout England; for Violet's prize lists, please click HERE
	George Ramsay Acland Mills Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club Schoolmaster, author, and veteran of both World Wars; for George's prize lists, please click HERE
Barbara May Chittenden The Compton Club at Eastbourne The wife of Mr. Hugh F. Chittenden, former Head Master of Newlands School in Seaford, Sussex
	Veronica Claire "Vera" Gasson Hurlingham Club Secretary of the Croquet Association, 1960-1970
Lt.-Col. Gerald E. Cave Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club Croquet and Tournament Secretary, 1965-?; 1974 Manager of Great Britain's MacRobertson Shield Series Team
	Mrs. Geraldine Cave Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club Gerald Cave's mother, with whom he lived
J. G. "Guy" Warwick Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club South of England Championship, 1962; Referee, MacRobertson Shield Series, 1974; Brother of Joan Warwick
	Edith Joan "Joan" Warwick Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club Played on MacRobertson Shield winning team in 1963; CA Women's Champion, 1960, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1968; Captain, British Wanderers Women's Hockey Team; Author, Umpiring for Women's Hockey, 1971
E. A. "Tony" Roper The Compton Club at Eastbourne Former Head Master of Ladycross School, Seaford, East Sussex
	Maurice B. Reckitt President of the Croquet Association, 1967-1975; CA Men's Champion, 1935, 1946; Surrey Championship 1934; South of England Champion, 1950; Author, Croquet Today, 1954; Played on 1956 MacRobertson Shield winner
Evelyn Aimee "Aimee" Reckitt Ranked Women's Tennis Player: 1922 (58th); 1923 (28th); 1924 (60th); 1925 (72nd); 1926 (78th); 1927 (62nd); Epsom Tennis Finals, 1923, 1925, 1926 Wimbledon, 1923, 1925, 1927
	Lady Ursula Abbey The Compton Club at Eastbourne? Well-known Breeder of show dogs at Cruft's; a noted outdoorswoman and shooter
Maj. John Roland "Jack" Abbey The Compton Club at Eastbourne? Renowned antiquarian book and manuscript collector, entrepreneur, and veteran of both World Wars; Tournament croquet player as far back as Brighton, 1913
	Rev. Canon Ralph Creed Meredith East Dorset Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club New Zealand Badminton Champion, Singles, Doubles, Mixed, 1927; Doubles co-champion, 1928; Player on losing MacRobertson Shield team (New Zealand), 1930; Past President of both the New Zealand Badminton & Croquet Associations
Sir Leonard Daldry Cheltenham Croquet Club? Referee, MacRobertson Shield Series, 1974 Banker and Senator of Federal Legislature, Nigeria
	Mrs. Alex Fotiadi Bowdon Croquet Club Member of Bowdon C.C. from 1939 until her death in 1990; Club President, 1972-1981; Donor of Bowdon's Novices Silver Challenge Bowl, 1957
Dr. Harold John Penny Winner of the Faulkner Cup, North of England Championship in 1939, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1951
	Isobel Marion Roe Cheltenham Croquet Club CA Women's Championship, 1961; British Women's Ski Champion, 1938-1949; 1937 (Downhill) & 1939 (Slalom & Alpine) Skiing World Championships; 1948 GB Winter Olympic Team, St. Moritz, (Slalom, Downhill, Combined); 1948 Ladies Lowlander Champion; President, The Ladies' Ski Club (England), 1957-1960; Guiness Book of WorldRecords, 1986, Most British Women's Ski Titles Held
Bennett Gregory "Bill" Perry Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club Played on Great Britain's MacRobertson Shield winning team in 1974; winner of 12 tournaments from 1966-1981
	Dr. H. R. "Herbie" McAleenan The Compton Club at Eastbourne Beat E. A. "Tony" Roper in the X Handicap Finals at the age of 83 at the Saffrons in 1964
Dr. William P. Ormerod East Dorset Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club Played on MacRobertson Shield Series winning teams, 1956 (age 19), 1963, 1969, 1974; Won CA President's Cup, 1966; and Men's Championship, 1970; 7 time winner of Open Doubles Chamionship; 9 time winner of Parkstone Dorset Salver Open (54 years between his 1956 and 2010 victories); Current UK/Ireland Ranking: 97th (2011); Donated Wm. Ormerod Trophy to Austrian Croquet Federation, 2006; now coaching golf croquet at Swanage Croquet Club; won Delves-Broughton Open Golf Croquet Doubles Championship in 1954 at the age of 17 with A.E. Stokes-Roberts

[Update (8 July 2011): Many thanks to Budleigh's Judy Perry for the colour photographs used here!]

Rev. Canon R. Creed Meredith, Sir L. Daldry, and Super Bowl XLV

This morning begins Super Sunday, an unofficial U.S. holiday, and I'm anticipating the playing of the American football championship game, the Super Bowl. During the baseball World Series and football playoffs so far I've won two pizzas from Carlos, the custodian at my school. He's bet two more, double-or-nothing (a bet he's already lost once), on the Pittsburgh Steelers, winners of two of the last four championships, hoping to get even. I've bet the pizzas owed me on the Green Bay Packers, the only team owned by its fans—the residents of tiny Green Bay, Wisconsin—and not a corporate conglomerate or egotistical multi-gazillionaire.

Last year I had a similar bet on the Indianapolis Colts, favored against the New Orleans Saints. Throughout the years, I've never been able to pick a Super Bowl winner to save my life, so its safe to say Carlos will likely owe me nothing at the end of the day. Betting my pizzas on the favored "cheeseheads" from Wisconsin almost guarantees that the Steel City will take away the trophy.

My only real chance of being involved in a victory today rides on my wife Janet's chili con carne. The host of the party we'll attend, my colleague Debbie, holds an annual Chili Cook-Off Contest. Last year Janet took the 2nd place ribbon, and this year she's looking to come home with the title!

Anyway, shifting to another field of play, while looking over my vast, panoramic Excel spreadsheet of croquet opponents, partners, and results, a few names do jump out. They may not have been the most regular friends or foes of George, Agnes, and Violet Mills, but they're noteworthy.

First, let's introduce ourselves to the Rev. Canon Ralph Creed Meredith. Creed Meredith played singles against Agnes on three occasions (according to the notoriously "iffy" Times search engine) and beat her twice.

Meredith was a cleric and a mason—something that apparently was a bit controversial at the time. According to the blog The hermeneutic of continuity:

"In 1951, Hannah wrote an article in the journal Theology, entitled 'Should a Christian be a Freemason?' which caused considerable controversy in England, particularly since King George VI and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher, were both freemasons. As a result, the Church Assembly of the Church of England later that year discussed the issue. The Rev R Creed Meredith, a freemason himself, proposed that a commission be appointed to report on Hannah's article. This was overwhelmingly rejected and the Assembly did not reach any particular decision on the matter."

"Hannah" was Walton Hannah, an Anglican clergyman, who according to the blog "was later received into the Catholic Church."

Nonetheless, Creed Meredith served as chaplain to George VI and Elizabeth II [above, right]. On 28 June 1946, the London Gazette published an announcement which offically appointed him "Chaplain to his Majesty." In 1954, his address is listed in Time & Tide Business World (vol. 35) as "The Vicarage, Windsor."

I'm admittedly unsure how that combined vicarage and appointment [Would this have been simply a title, Honorary Chaplain to the King (K.H.C.)?] relate to the being a chaplain at the Queen's Chapel of the Savoy, where Reverend Barton R. V. Mills served as an assistant chaplain from 1901 to 1908. Nevertheless, it was a likely conversation starter for the Mills siblings with the Reverend Canon. You'll remember that Barton Mills was involved in the official ceremonies at the funeral of Queen Victoria and stayed on at the Savoy, moving his family, including his daughter Agnes (age 6) son George (age 5) to London in time to be counted in the census. Violet was born in 1902.

Around 1960, Creed Meredith had moved to at 9 Kingsbridge Road, Parkstone, Dorset, according to the Church of England Year Book, volume 85, making him a probable member East Dorset Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, where he beat Agnes Mills (+12) on 13 September 1960. The aging vicar, then 73, fell to her (-4) on 11 July 1961 on her home lawns at the Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club.

According to RootsWeb at ancestry.com, Creed Meredith was "was born 10 Jul 1887 in Dublin, Ireland, and died Jan 1970 in England. He married Sylvia Ainsley [on] 21 Apr 1915, daughter of Joseph AYNSLEY. She was born 16 Aug 1894 in Blyth House, Blyth Bridge, Stoke-on-Trent, and died 20 Sep 1987."

Another fellow the Mills knew on the lawns, one whom we first met yesterday, was Sir Leonard Daldry. The Times archive has himm playing with and against them in croquet twice, under unusual circumstances.

On 10 May 1968, Sir Leonard was victorious over George Mills (+2 on time). Later in the day, he beat George again. In a doubles match, playing alongside Violet Mills, he defeated George and his partner Barbara (Mrs. H. F.) Chittenden (+12), the Mills siblings scoring both a tournament win and loss in the same tilt. Although I'm uncertain exactly how doubles pairings were created at the time, one can assume the Sir Leonard knew at least two of the Mills somewhat well for at least that one day!

Daldry was born on 6 October 1908 and died at the age of 80 in October 1988 in Swindon, Wiltshire, 25 or 30 miles south-southeast of the Cheltenham Croquet Club. The Mills siblings played in croquet tournaments in Cheltenham at least three times, two in 1961 and 1965, during both of which it's possible that Sir Leonard was not in Nigeria.

The National Portrait Gallery describes Daldry in this way: "Sir Leonard (Charles) Daldry (1908-1988), Banker and Senator of Federal Legislature, Nigeria." He is a sitter in 18 portraits taken by the famed photographer "Bassano." In some portraits, Daldry appears with his wife, Lady Joan Mary Daldry (née Crisp). Those were taken on 30 October 1963. He later had individual portraits taken by Bassano on 23 April 1976. Disappointingly, none of these portraits are available on-line. Presumably, they may be of slighly higher quality than the image of Daldry [above, left] I was able to crop from an on-line 1974 MacRobertson Shield teams photograph.

According to Nigerian Wiki: "Leonard Charles Daldry was resident director of the Barclay's Bank for West Africa and later that of Nigeria and the Cameroons. He joined the bank in 1929. In the 60s, he was chairman of the Nigerian Barclay's bank." He is also listed there as a member of the Nigerian First Republic Senate.

On 1 January 1960, Daldry was appointed to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire "for public services in the Federation of Nigeria," according to the London Gazette.

Daldry is also described as "Nigeria Board of Barclay's Bank, DCO... a member of the Nigerian Railway Corporation [and] a Special Member of the House of Representatives and as a Senator, 1929-61," in Accessions to repositories and reports added to the National Register of Archives by The Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts in the National Register of Archives (Great Britain, 1969).

It seems that Daldry was intimately involved with Nigeria's economics and governance before and slightly after it gained its independence from Britain on 1 October 1960.

He certainly must have had a great many stories and insights to share on the lawns and at the bar in various croquet tournaments around England.

There is a third name of interest among the players during my "Mills Era" of croquet in south England: Lady Ursula Abbey.

We'll save Lady Ursula for another day, for reasons that we'll find out soon. Stay tuned...