Eric Hatfeild

Charles Eric Hatfeild (11 March 1887 – 21 September 1918) was an English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Oxford University and Kent County Cricket Club in the years before the First World War. Hatfeild was an officer in the Royal East Kent Yeomanry and the East Kent Regiment. He was decorated for gallantry during the war and was killed in action in September 1918 at Cambrai on the Western Front.

Early life and education Hatfeild was born at Hartsdown House near Margate in Kent in 1887, the son of a captain in the 1st King's Dragoon Guards and JP in a prominent local family. He was the eldest child, having three brothers and three sisters. He was educated locally at Wellington House School at Westgate-on-Sea and later at Eton College where he played in the school's cricket First XI in from 1903 to 1906, captaining the team, which included Herbert, in his final year. He was a very promising bowler at school, taking 12 wickets against Harrow School in a match at Lord's in 1903 but later developed as more of a batsman.

After graduating from university Hatfeild attended Wye Agricultural College in 1910–11. He was elected a member of the Kent Committee in 1913. He also toured the US with Incogniti in 1913. and later transferred to the East Kent Regiment, serving in the 10th battalion.