Frank Gillingham

Frank Hay Gillingham (6 September 1875 – 1 April 1953) was an English cricketer. He played for Essex between 1903 and 1928.[1]

Frank Gillingham

Personal information
Full name	Frank Hay Gillingham
Born	(1875-09-06)6 September 1875 Tokyo, Japan
Died	1 April 1953(1953-04-01) (aged 77) Monaco
Batting	Right-handed
Role	Wicket-keeper
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1903–1928	Essex
Career statistics
Competition FC Matches 210 Runs scored 10050 Batting average 30.64 100s/50s 19/- Top score 201 Balls bowled 8 Wickets 0 Bowling average 5 wickets in innings 10 wickets in match Best bowling Catches/stumpings 111/1
Source: Cricinfo, 23 July 2013

Born in Tokyo to a J. Gillingham, he was educated at Dulwich College and Durham University. He worked in the City of London for a while but was ordained as a priest in 1899 and became curate of Leyton. He later became an army chaplain with the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers at Tidworth from 1905 to 1907 and again as Temporary Chaplain to the Forces during the First World War.

As an amateur cricketer he was a member of the Essex XI who in 1905 beat the Australians at Leyton by 19 runs. He went on to tour Jamaica with the Hon. L H Tennyson's team in 1927. That year he also made the first ball-by-ball cricket commentary for the BBC, speaking for a total of 25 minutes over four sessions. He was reportedly fired by BBC chairman Lord Reith for reading advertisement placards out on air to fill time during a rain break.[2]

In 1939, the Reverend Gillingham was appointed Chaplain to the Royal household.