Josceline Amherst

Who was Josceline Amherst?

Josceline George Herbert Amherst was a member of Western Australia's first Legislative Council under responsible government. He also played first-class cricket.

Josceline Amherst was born in Canterbury, Kent, England on 7 June 1846, the fifth son of William Pitt Amherst, 2nd Earl Amherst. He was educated at Eton, then matriculated to Christ Church, Oxford but did not graduate. He later became a barrister of the Inner Temple.

As a cricketer he played his games for Marylebone Cricket Club and the Gentlemen of Kent. His highest score of 7 came when playing for Marylebone Cricket Club in the match against Hampshire County Cricket Club. His best bowling of 2/26 came when playing for the Gentlemen of Kent in the match against the Gentlemen of Marylebone Cricket Club.

From 1881 to 1883, Amherst was private secretary to Sir William Des Vœux, Governor of Fiji. In June 1885, he emigrated to Western Australia, where he took up an appointment as private secretary to Governor Frederick Broome and Clerk to the Executive Council, which positions he held until 1887. He then returned to London for a brief period, arriving back in Western Australia in March 1888.