John Askew

John Garbutt Askew (2 September 1908 – 31 August 1942) was an English rugby player and first-class cricketer. In rugby, Askew played as a fullback, while in cricket he played as a right-handed batsman. He was born at Gateshead, County Durham.

Askew was educated at Durham School.[1] He made his debut in county cricket for Durham against Northumberland in the 1928 Minor Counties Championship. He played Minor counties cricket for Durham from 1928 to 1931, making eight appearances.[2] He later attended Emmanuel College, Cambridge,[1] where he made two first-class appearances for Cambridge University Cricket Club in 1931, against Sussex and the touring New Zealanders.[3] He scored a total of 30 runs at an average of 7.50 in his two appearances, with a high score of 11.[4]

In rugby union, Askew played club rugby for Durham City from 1925–31, Durham County from 1926–31, and Cambridge University from 1929–1931. He also appeared for the Barbarians.[1] Askew was capped by England three times,[5] playing in the 1930 Five Nations Championship against Wales, Ireland and France.[6]

In 1932, he was serving in the Colonial Service in Nyasaland, but was invalided home. He was also a member of the Durham Light Infantry, in which he held the rank of second lieutenant.[7] Between 1933 and 1937, he was in business with his father, while in 1937 he went to South Africa, where he spent a year farming. In 1939, he had returned to England and was in business in Newcastle.[1] He died at Stannington, Northumberland, on 31 August 1942.