Charles Rucker

Charles Rucker
Personal information
Full name
Charles Edward Sigismund Rucker
Born4 September 1894
Chislehurst, Kent, England
Died24 November 1965(1965-11-24) (aged 71)
Blandford Forum, Dorset, England
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm fast
RelationsPatrick Rucker (brother)
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1914Oxford University
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 5
Runs scored 66
Batting average 13.20
100s/50s –/–
Top score 26*
Balls bowled 633
Wickets 13
Bowling average 22.33
5 wickets in innings 2
10 wickets in match –
Best bowling 6/69
Catches/stumpings 1/–
Source: Cricinfo, 22 June 2020

Charles Edward Sigismund Rucker MC (4 September 1894 – 24 November 1965) was an English first-class cricketer and British Army officer.

Rucker was born at Chislehurst in September 1894. He was educated at Charterhouse School,[1] before going up to University College, Oxford.[2] While studying at Oxford, Rucker made five appearances in first-class cricket for Oxford University in 1914.[3] A right-arm fast bowler, he took 13 wickets at an average of 22.23, with two five wicket hauls and best figures of 6 for 69.[4] With the bat, he scored 66 runs with a high score of 26 not out.[5]

His studies at Oxford were interrupted by the First World War, with Rucker being commissioned in the British Army in October 1916 as a second lieutenant.[6] He was a temporary lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) by October 1915,[7] He was decorated with the Military Cross (MC) in January 1916, the citation for which appeared in The London Gazette that month and reads as follows:

For conspicuous gallantry on the night of 15th-16th December, 1915, at Cordonnerie. He took out two parties to cut wire before a raid, and commenced work, but, being interrupted by an enemy listening post, he returned to report. The enemy being aroused, the raid was abandoned, but Lieutenant Rucker took out a bombing party and destroyed the listening post under a heavy fire. This post was inside the German wire and close to the enemy's parapet. He volunteered for both these duties.[8]

He relinquished his commission in January 1918 on account of ill health,[9] having lost a leg in action.[1]

Following the end of the war, Rucker returned to study at Oxford, though played no further first-class cricket due to the loss of his leg. He served as the secretary of Oxford University Cricket Club in 1919.[1] Rucker died at Blandford Forum in November 1965. His brother, Patrick, also played first-class cricket for Oxford and was killed during the Second World War, while another brother, Robin, was killed during the First World War in service with the Royal Air Force.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Wisden - Obituaries in 1965". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  2. ^ "Player profile: Charles Rucker". CricketArchive. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  3. ^ "First-Class Matches played by Charles Rucker". CricketArchive. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  4. ^ "First-Class Bowling For Each Team by Charles Rucker". CricketArchive. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  5. ^ "First-Class Batting and Fielding For Each Team by Charles Rucker". CricketArchive. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  6. ^ "No. 28945". The London Gazette. 20 October 1914. p. 8400.
  7. ^ "No. 29432". The London Gazette (Supplement). 7 January 1916. p. 421.
  8. ^ "No. 29447". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 January 1916. p. 948.
  9. ^ "No. 30452". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 December 1917. p. 104.
  10. ^ McCrery, Nigel (2011). The Coming Storm: Test and First-Class Cricketers Killed in World War Two. Vol. 2nd volume. Pen and Sword. ISBN 978-1526706980.