About John Boys
Lived 1856 – 1883 (aged 26). John Boys was a British cricketer.
John James Boys (17 August 1856 – 1 August 1883) was an English cricketer active in first-class cricket in the mid-1870s and early 1880s. Born at Titchfield, Hampshire, Boys was a right-handed batsman who played as a wicket-keeper.
Boys entered the British Army at the age of fifteen with the Royal Artillery based at Woolwich, where he was a musician with the Royal Artillery Band. He played cricket with some success for the Royal Artillery Cricket Club and was asked to play for Kent County Cricket Club many times but was unable to get leave of absence to do so. Boys scored 34 runs in his four matches, as well as taking four catches and making two stumpings.
Boys died suddenly aged 26 at Woolwich on 1 August 1883 on the day of his planned wedding to his fiancée.
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Important facts
People in John Boys's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Boys's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Boys?
English cricketer (1856-1883)
When was John Boys born?
John Boys was born on 17 August 1856 in Titchfield.
When did John Boys die?
John Boys died on 1 August 1883 in Woolwich.
What was John Boys's occupation?
John Boys was a cricketer.
What nationality was John Boys?
John Boys was British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Boys (cricketer)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Boys. https://biography.guide/john-boys-cricketer/
MLA: "John Boys." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-boys-cricketer/.
Chicago: "John Boys." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-boys-cricketer/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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