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Harry Bagshaw - R.I.P. in Eyam - Cricketer and Umpire

A black grave with a touch of 'black humour' spells 'innings complete' for the Derbyshire cricketer and famous umpire Harry Bagshaw

HARRY BAGSHAW, who was born Henry Bagshaw at Foolow, near Tideswell, Derbyshire, on 1 September 1859, was a celebrated cricketer and umpire. He died at Crowden, near Glossop -sometimes stated alternatively as Woodhead, which is close by - on 31 January 1927, aged 67.

He was buried in the famous 'plague churchyard' of the Parish Church of St. Lawrence in Eyam, where his distinctive and celebrated grave is often overlooked by visitors not in the know.

Harry Bagshaw played cricket for his home county Derbyshire and for MCC. He first came to the attention of Derbyshire County Cricket Club in 1880, when aged 21 he played for the club's Colts side. He made his first-class debut in 1888 and continued with Derbyshire until 1902.

He was ambidextrous - a left-handed batsman and right-handed medium-paced bowler. His career summary from 125 first-class matches was 5456 runs scored at an average of 26.1, with a highest score of 127. He took 73 wickets at an average of 29.02 runs per wicket, and held 36 catches.

He achieved even greater fame after he had finished playing, becoming a first-class umpire from 1907-1924 and standing in over 200 matches, including many big ones.

At his own request he was buried in his umpire's coat, and holding a cricket ball in one hand. His gravestone incorporates at its apex an upraised hand and single finger - the umpire's signal for 'out' - pointing skywards. At the base of the vertical tombstone are three stumps and a pair of bails being split asunder by a ball which has clearly beaten the bat.

The headstone is inscribed as follows:

                                                TO THE DEAR MEMORY OF HARRY BAGSHAW
                                                          WHO DIED AGED 67 YEARS
                                             FROM 1888 TO 1924 WITH DERBYSHIRE AND MCC
                                                                    WELL PLAYED

                          FOR WHEN THAT ONE GREAT SCORER COMES TO WRITE AGAINST YOUR NAME
                                                 HE WRITES NOT THAT YOU WON OR LOST
                                                      BUT HOW YOU PLAYED THE GAME        

This You and Yesterday entry is part of the Grave Matters project which aims to record the locations in Derbyshire of unusual or celebrity graves. If you know of others why not add them to the list and create a short entry like this one.

• HARRY BAGSHAW

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County:  Derbyshire

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