Samuel Hardstaff

Sam Hardstaff enlisted at Hucknall. He died of wounds on 16th April 1917 and is buried in Gourock Trench Cemetery, Tilloy-les-Mofflaines.

Id confirmed by 1911 Census and Soldiers' Effects Register Joseph Hardstaff (1882-1947, known as Joe Hardstaff senior) played cricket for Nottinghamshire between 1902 and 1924 and five test matches for England before the Great War. His son and Samuel's nephew Joseph (1911-1990, known as Joe Hardstaff junior) played for Nottinghamshire between 1930 and 1955 scoring over 30,000 runs for the county. He also played 23 tests scoring 1,636 runs and at The Oval in 1938 made 169 not out as Len Hutton compiled the then world record test score of 364. Known for his brilliant elegant stroke play Joe Hardstaff junior's test career, already shortened by World War Two, ended prematurely: 'In 1947/48 Hardstaff toured the West Indies under Gubby Allen's captaincy, but a clash of personalities meant they did not see eye to eye. On their return, Allen assured Hardstaff that he would never play another Test. Hardstaff asked Allen to name his odds and Allen proferred 100–1, which Hardstaff backed with a five pound note. Hardstaff nevertheless played in the First Test that summer against Australia, and duly received a cheque for £500, which he tore up and posted back to Allen. Hardstaff did not play for England again.' (Wikipedia) Joe Hardstaff junior’s son, also Joseph (born Kirkby 1935), was commissioned into the Royal Air Force and rose to the rank of Air Commodore. He played cricket as a right-handed batsman and as a right-arm medium fast bowler for the Free Foresters in two first-class matches (1961-1962) and captained the RAF eleven. Aged 18, I was introduced to Joe Hardstaff junior in the The Crown Inn on Nottingham's ring road but felt too over-awed to ask him about The Oval in 1938. David Nunn