John Hellard

Who was John Hellard?

John Alexander Hellard played first-class cricket for Somerset in 1907 and 1910. He was born at Stogumber, Somerset and died in the First World War fighting on the Somme at Beaumont Hamel, France.

Educated at King's School, Canterbury, Hellard was a right-handed lower-order batsman and a right-arm fast-medium bowler, although he did not bowl in first-class cricket. He played in two matches, both against Worcestershire, one in 1907 at Bath, the other in 1910 at Worcester. His highest first-class score was 15 in the 1907 game.

A second lieutenant in the Somerset Light Infantry during the First World War, he was killed on the second day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and is commemorated at the Serre Road cemetery.