Dr John Nunn, who died suddenly in Scotland on April 6, 1987, aged 81, had the curious experience of representing Oxford at both cricket and rugger for his first two years and failing to get a place in either side for the next two.
The 1920s were a great era in University games, but in 1926 Oxford were for once short of talent at cricket. Their one player of distinction, E. R. T. Holmes, though dangerous, was not yet the consistent batsman he afterwards became. Similarly in rugger: after the great sides of 1923 and 1924, with their international three-quarter lines, they were crushingly defeated at Twickenham in 1925 and 1926. It was in these circumstances that Nunn, coming up with a considerable reputation from Sherborne, gained his Blues. When higher standards returned, he could not retain them.
At cricket, he got the last place in 1926 on the morning of the match, as an opening bat, and justified it with admirable innings of 30 and 33 in a low-scoring match. Despite his humble record he was so highly regarded personally that he was elected secretary for 1927, clearly in the hopes that he would captain the side in 1928. No-one who knew him can doubt that he would have been an ideal captain. Unfortunately, he had a poor season in 1927 and it was obvious that his place was no longer secure. He was dropped after the first match in 1928 and never appeared for the ‘Varsity again.
A beautiful upstanding stylist in minor cricket, with strokes on both sides of the wicket concentrating on the off side, he seemed at a higher level able to score solely by concentrating on dour defence, and it is significant that his only considerable scores for Oxford, 83 in 1926 and 98 in 1927, were made against the Army, whose bowling was distinctly below county standard. His greatest value to the side was his superb fielding at cover. In 1926 he was tried in three matches for Middlesex. Altogether in first-class cricket he scored 641 runs with an average of 18.85. Later he served for many years on the committee of the Free Foresters.
Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack
John Ayscough Nunn (1906-1987)
Born on 19 March 1906 at The White House, Hadley, Barnet, Hertfordshire, son of Dr John Wilfred Nunn MRCS, LRCP (1875-1948), and Hilda Nunn (née Wilkinson) (1880-1955), of The White House, Hadley, Barnet, Hertfordshire.
Siblings:
Michael Gordon Nunn (1910-1991), attended Sherborne School (Lyon House) 1924-1927.
Stephanie Elizabeth Nunn (1916-1974)
Prep School: Messrs. Ransome & Jeston, Grenham House School, Birchington-on-Sea, Kent.
Previous illnesses: scarlatina, whooping cough.
Attended Sherborne School (Lyon House) from September 1919 (form IVA classical) to July 1925 (VIA); Scholar; 6th form; School Prefect; Head of Lyon House; 1st XI cricket 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925 (captain 1924 & 1925); winner of the 1st XI batting prize in 1924 for an average of 81.33; winner of the Fielding Cup (1924-25); 1st XV rugby 1923, 1924; Senior Class Leader with Badge; Sergeant in OTC; member of the Duffers.
When J.A. Nunn left Sherborne School in July 1925, his housemaster A.H. Trelawny-Ross wrote of him: ‘What am I to say of J.A. Nunn, Upper VIth, Captain of Cricket and head of the House, a splendid chapter of whose life has now come to an end, or shall we think of it rather as the preface? Some will remember him as one of the best cricketers the School has known, some as a great Captain who inspired them, others as the leader who, in the House, made them feel that nothing rotten or disloyal was possible where he was. I will not speak of my own sense of loss but rather feel thankful that a loyal and thoughtful successor to him will be here to help me, and that the House itself will for many terms to come be living under the inspiration of Nunn’s devotion to duty.’
New College, Oxford; University XV; University XI.
On 12 November 1926, the Daily Mirror reported that John Ayscough Nunn, Oxford’s new cricket secretary, ‘a man who believes in taking time by the forelock. He got a Rugger and cricket Blue in his first year, and hopes to get through Oxford’s Medical Science School in three years instead of the customary four.’
St Bartholomew’s Hospital; BM, BCh. Oxf. 1932.
In October 1932, the engagement was announced between Dr J.A. Nunn, the Oxford double Blue, and Miss Gillian Ursula Hume. On 28 October 1932 the Daily Mirror reported under the heading ‘Athletes and Cupid’, that ‘this engagement is the first of several this season in which prominent University athletes will figure.’
On 8 April 1934 John was married at St Luke’s Chelsea to Gillian Ursula Hume (1901-1999), daughter of Colonel Charles Vernon Hume RA and Ursula Wilhelmina Hume (née Marshall) (1871-1958). Gillian Hume was a stage and television actress, known for Suspense (1962), First Night (1963), and Armchair Theatre (1956).
In 1935, John and his father had a joint practice – Nunn & Nunn at Pymlicoe House, Hadley Green, Barnet, Hertfordshire.
By 1939 John and Gillian were living at The Grange, Hadley, Barnet, Hertfordshire.
Served in the Second World War as a Surgeon-Lieutenant in the RNVR.
Died on 6 April 1987 at Colintraive, Argyll and Bute, Scotland.
J.A. Nunn’s career stats:
Oxford University 1926-27 (1928) – 27 matches
Middlesex 1926 – 3 matches
Free Foresters – 1 match
641 runs in 1st class cricket.
Right-hand bat.
Right-arm fast bowler.