William Leggatt

Lieutenant colonel William Murray Leggatt (2 September 1900 – 13 August 1946) was an English officer in the British Army and amateur cricketer who played in 11 first-class cricket matches between 1926 and 1933. He served in the Royal Artillery, commanding Royal Artillery regiments during the North African campaign in World War II.

Early life Leggatt was born at Crail in Fife in 1900, the son of Ernest and Jesse Leggatt. His father served in the Indian Civil Service. His sister Hester Leggatt later worked for MI5.

Legatt was educated at Parkside Prep School and Winchester College. He was an "excellent athlete" at school, played in the cricket, rugby union and football teams at Winchester and was described as "the most effective bowler" in the school team in his final year. He was considered a particularly good Winchester College footballer at school

Army career On leaving school Leggatt joined the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, where he captained the academy cricket and football teams and played rackets, before he was commissioned into the Royal Artillery (RA). He served in British India for a time and as an instructor at Woolwich between 1931 and 1935. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1933, served as adjutant of 16th Field Brigade RA from 1935 and was promoted to Brigade Major in 1938, serving in Egypt until the start of World War II. He made a total of five appearances for Kent, all in 1926, and made his first-class debut for the British Army cricket team in the same season, playing against the Royal Navy at Lord's. a match The Times described as "Mr Leggatt's Match" in its headline. He could drive the ball powerfully He played "with great power on the off-side", having a "good defence" and making good scores for teams throughout this club career.

Personal life and death Leggatt married Connel Auld Mathieson in July 1929. The couple lived at Hinton St George in Somerset and had one son

After returning from overseas service Leggatt was considered to be suffering poor health as a result of his war service and was ordered to take a years sick leave in April 1945.