R. T. Stanyforth

Who was R. T. Stanyforth?

Lieutenant-Colonel Ronald Thomas Stanyforth was an Army officer and English amateur first-class cricketer, who played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club and England, captaining England in the four Test matches he played in.

Stanyforth was born at Chelsea, London, England, the son of Edwin Wilfred Stanyforth of Kirk Hammerton Hall, Yorkshire. He was educated at Eton and Oxford University. He played for Oxford University in 1914 and then served in World War I. He was awarded the MC and CVO. After the war he played for Combined Services in 1922, Army from 1923 to 1929, MCC from 1923 to 1933 and H. D. G. Leveson Gower's XI in 1926.

Stanyforth, a wicket-keeper, captained England against South Africa in 1927/8, and he won two, lost one and drew once. However, the series was a draw as the fifth Test, when Greville Stevens stood in for Stanyforth, was lost.

Only three of Stanyforth's sixty one first-class games were played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club in the County Championship, and all three came in 1928 after he had captained England. He also played for the Free Foresters from 1930 to 1933.

Stanyforth served in the 21st Lancers, as Aide de Camp to General Alan Brooke 1939-1940, and as GSO1 21st Army Group 1941-1945.