Today’s 75th anniversary of VE Day gives us the opportunity to remember life during and shortly after World War 2.
The break out of war brought a drastic reduction in cricket club activities – there was only one senior team, although as time passed, almost a full programme of friendly games was arranged for the 2nd team. Throughout the war, there was a high standard of cricket and the club continued to contribute to the limited social life of the village.
Club Secretary, G C Walter, became actively involved in the formation of the local Home Guard and 27 club members were called to the Armed Forces: Stanley Atkinson and Dick Hargrave were taken prisoners of war. Herbert Hudson, Teddy Weightman, Barry Breare and John Walter gave their young lives so that cricket and other peaceful and civilized games might continue.
1945 was perhaps one of Menston Cricket Club’s most eventful seasons. The war in Europe and Asia came to an end and, Bill Bowes, an England and Yorkshire cricketer, and Menston resident for several years, decided to play for his local club despite invitations from other clubs. Bowes had been commissioned in the British Army as a gunnery officer and served in North Africa until he was captured, along with over 30,000 other Allied troops, after the fall of Tobruk in June 1942. He spent three years in Italian and German prisoner-of-war camps before being repatriated in April 1945.
On 21 May 1945, the 1st XI v North Leeds proudly included ‘W. E. Bowes’ on the team sheet and what an attraction he created: it seemed as though not only Menston, but the whole of Wharfedale came to see him (see photo of him coming out to bat). It was a genuine gesture of affection and thanksgiving for the homecoming of a well-loved cricketer. In his third over, Bill took his first wicket on English soil for many years and went on to demolish North Leeds for 45 runs – his performance, 7 wickets for 17 runs. Menston had batted first, scoring 140. A collection for the club on the day raised £22, a princely sum never taken before at a single match; bearing in mind inflation, this amount indicates the large crowd and its generosity. The war was over, and cricket had survived!
Over the course of the 1945 season, Bowes bowled 210 overs for Menston Cricket Club, taking 72 wickets at an average of 8 runs each. He was recalled to county cricket in 1946, and he is one of a very few professionals who has taken more 1st class wickets (1,639) than runs scored (1,531).
In 1947, the club held a benefit match ‘1914 v 1939’ for Bill Bowes. The ’39 team were apparently no match for the ’14 team. Later, in 1956, Tony Bowes (son of Bill) took 7 wickets for 42 runs in a Waddilove Cup semi-final match.
Bill Bowes became an an author and sports journalist during his distinguished career, and he lived in Menston with his family for most of his life until his death in 1987, aged 79. To honour his memory, in 2013 Bradford Council named a road in a then new housing development on Farnley Road: ‘Bill Bowes Court’.
Enjoy the Bank Holiday celebrations everyone (remembering the social distancing rules) and we hope these memories from the club’s archives are giving you chance to reflect on times gone by. As always, get in touch if you wish to add any of your own memories to the club’s history.
