Alexander Kearsey

Alexander Horace Cyril Kearsey, (17 December 1877 – 8 October 1967) was a British Army officer who served in the Second Boer War and the First World War. He was also an English cricketer, but his military career limited his cricketing appearances.

Early life The son of Francis Kearsey, he was born at Burstow Hall, Surrey. He was educated at Rottingdean School and Clifton College, before attending the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

Military career After graduating from Sandhurst, Kearsey was commissioned into the York and Lancaster Regiment as a second lieutenant on 7 May 1896. He was promoted to lieutenant on 20 June 1900. Weeks later he was made a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, with the insignia being presented by Edward VII on 14 March 1902.

Kearsey was promoted to captain on 12 March 1904, while the following year he was transferred to the 10th Royal Hussars. He then served in the Territorial Force as an adjutant from March 1908 to April 1911. and the Order of the Nile. Transferring to the fledgling Royal Air Force, he commanded the Cadet Wing and was appointed staff officer, 1st grade on 28 December 1918. He later wrote a number of books analysing military strategy.

Ribbons

Cricket As a cricketer, Kearsey's batting style is unknown, but is known he fielded as a wicket-keeper. While serving in the British Raj, he made his first-class debut for the Europeans against the Parsees in 1903. He ended the Europeans first-innings unbeaten on 0. In their second-innings, he was dismissed for 2 runs by Maneksha Bulsara. His second first-class appearance came for the Europeans in 1905, in a repeat of his debut match. In this match, he was dismissed for a duck by Jehangir Warden in the Europeans first-innings, while in their second-innings he was dismissed for 4 runs by the same bowler. Taking up position behind the stumps, he took a single catch and made a single stumping. He later made two Minor Counties Championship appearances in 1913 for Buckinghamshire, against Berkshire and Wiltshire. He did not appear for Buckinghamshire after this season.

Later life Kearsey died in Wandsworth, London, on 8 October 1967. He had married, in 1907, Hon. Frances Mitford (1875–1951), eldest daughter of Lord Redesdale. They had one daughter, Clementine (b. 1908).