Merrick Beaufoy Elderton (1884-1939)
The Times, 12 December 1939:
Mr M.B. Elderton, Housemaster of Abbeylands House, Sherborne, and until two years ago Dorset county cricket captain, died yesterday shortly after a collision with a cyclist while walking near his home at Sherborne.
Born on February 21, 1884, the son of Mr W.A. Elderton, Merrick Beaufoy Elderton was educated at Merchant Taylors, where he was captain of the cricket XI and a monitor. He went to Clare College, Cambridge, where he was a scholar and Hilles exhibitioner, and, reading mathematics, graduated in 1906 as senior optime. He went to Sherborne as a master in 1907. From 1915 to 1919 he served in France as captain, R.G.A., and on his return became housemaster of Abbeylands. He played cricket at Cambridge University, but just failed to get his Blue, for he was competing with such fine wicket-keepers as M.W. Payne and A.D. Imley, who were also in residence at the time. In 1926 he took over the Dorset country cricket captaincy from the Rev. W.V. Jephson, and retired from the captaincy two years ago, but continued playing during the following season. Mr Elderton captained the Minor Counties against the New Zealanders and played for the Minor Counties against the West Indies at Exeter some years ago. He ran the Sherborne School cricket until last summer. He was a brother of Sir Thomas Elderton and Sir William Palin Elderton.
Western Gazette, 15 December 1939:
All those associated with Sherborne School and sportsmen and other friends over a wide area heard with deep regret of the death of Mr Merrick Beaufoy Elderton, housemaster of Abbeylands House, Sherborne School, and, until two years ago, Dorset County cricket captain. Mr Elderton died on Monday afternoon shortly after a collision with a cyclist whilst walking near his home.
Mr Elderton, who was born on February 21st 1884, was the son of Mr W.A. Elderton. He was educated at Merchant Taylors’, where he was the captain of the cricket XI, and a monitor. He went to Clare College, Cambridge, where he was a scholar and a Hilles exhibitioner, and, reading mathematics, graduated in 1906 as senior optime. He went to Sherborne as a master in 1907. From 1915 to 1919 he served in France as captain, R.G.A., and on his return became housemaster of Abbeylands.
He played cricket at Cambridge University, but just failed to get his cricket blue, for he was competing with such fine wicket-keepers as M.W. Payne and A.D. Imley, who were also in residence at that time. He was a fine fives player. He did not play Rugby at Cambridge owing to an accident, but he got his half blue for lacrosse. He was also a Quidnunc.
Mr Elderton took over the Dorset county cricket captaincy in 1926 from the Rev. W.V. Jephson, under whom he had been vice-captain, and, though he retired from the captaincy two years ago, he continued to play for the county during the following season. He captained the Minor Counties against the New Zealanders, and played for the Minor Counties against the West Indies at Exeter some years ago. In the days when Mr Edwards, of Bridport, used to run his September cricket week, Mr Elderton, playing for Wessex against the Rest of England, went in first and was bowled for 99 by Tate, who was then in his heyday. Some years ago, when he played for East Coker against the Somerset Club and Ground, he went in first and made over 100 runs. Following his retirement from the county cricket captaincy, Mr Elderton was the recipient of a presentation on behalf of players and others, Captain Angus V. Hambro, M.P. (a Vice-President of the County Club), making the presentation during the tea interval in the match between Oxford and Dorset at Merley Park.
Address given by Hughie Holmes to Abbeylands on 11 December 1939:
[H.F.W. Holmes, the former Abbeylands house tutor, had been called up and was then stationed at Frome. He was given leave to return by commanding officer F.E.C. Lewis OS, and spoke this address at Abbeylands house prayers that night]
I want to say a few words tonight – and I must say something to you, and you know how difficult it is, so forgive me if I read what I have to say.
I need hardly say what we are all feeling, because we all feel more than we say, as is natural in Englishmen. But I want you never to forget that you had the good fortune to have as your housemaster one of the nicest most loyal of men that ever lived – one who was a man of few words, but who cared for you all as if you were his own family: when accidents have happened in the past to boys in this house, as they have, he has suffered inwardly more than anyone knows, and when serious illness has afflicted members of the house, he has felt his responsibilities more than many in Sherborne have even begun to realise.
Now that he has so suddenly left us all, I know his wish would be that life should go on just as usual, that you would not mourn him at all, but rather be strengthened by an example of manly and Christian life which you must never forget. If ever a man had no use of manliness of nature, selfishness, petty jealousies and disloyalty to friends, that man was Mr Elderton.
So though we are all sad tonight, forget the sadness as soon as you can, but remember what Mr Elderton was, and wanted his house to be, and see to it that this house goes from strength to strength in the things that really matter. Remember it has been your privilege to be a member of the happiest family imaginable, and remember what you owe to Mrs Elderton and help by your cheerfulness and sympathy to bear her sorrow. She is wonderfully brave and an example to us all.
Whoever may succeed Mr Elderton, give him all your loyalty. Don’t ever forget your good fortune in being in this house under such a grand man, and see to that Abbeylands boys are worthy of him now and when you have left.
Merrick Beaufoy Elderton (1884-1939).
Born 21 February 1884.
Educated at Merchant Taylors; captain of the cricket XI and a monitor.
Scholar and Hilles exhibitioner, Clare College, Cambridge, graduated in 1906 as senior optime.
Played for Cambridge University XI 1907 and got his half blue for lacrosse.
Assistant master, Sherborne School, 1907-1939.
Absent on military service 1915-1919 (Captain, Royal Garrison Artillery. Served in France with 143rd Siege Battery, August 1916-June 1917, and with the 471st Siege Battery, May-November 1918).
Housemaster of Abbeylands, 1919-1939.
Appears as ‘Parkinson’ in Alec Waugh’s The Loom of Youth (1917).
Played for Dorset XI cricket team 1921-1938 (Captain of Dorset County Cricket Club 1926-1937).
Captained the Minor Counties against the New Zealanders and played for the Minor Counties against the West Indies at Exeter.
Died at the Yeatman Hospital on 11 December 1939 following an accident in Cheap Street, Sherborne.
Memorial pew (no.23) in Sherborne School chapel.
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