Lt. Sidney Rolleston, the Notts Naval cricket connection and his mysterious funeral

Rolleston's grave at the family plot in Watnall
with Underwood taking guard.

Recently brought to my attention is a letter sent by Lieutenant Sidney Rolleston (born and buried at Watnall) to William Underwood, a Nottingham cricket professional, regarding the appointment of Underwood as the cricket coach & groundsman to the naval college at Dartmouth where Rolleston was a tutor. The letter is dated January 1880. Underwood held the post for over 20 years.

Rolleston was the younger brother of Sir Lancelot Rolleston of Watnall Hall and was buried in the family plot on the hill above the hall on Monday 22nd March 1926 (exactly 100 years ago). He had a long career at sea being sent away aged 13 in 1863. He was captain of HMS Royal Oak amongst other ships and while a young tutor at Dartmouth College taught the young King George V and his older brother Eddy onboard HMS Britannia.

It was shortly after the princes left the college that Underwood was appointed on a recommendation by the illustrious Notts cricketer Richard Daft. The letter says...

"Sir, Mr Daft having recommended you to me for the position of professional cricketer to H.M.S Britannia I showed your testimonials this morning to the Officer in Command who was fully satisfied. We think that it would be satisfactory to yourself, if you were to see the place and have a personal interview before being finally engaged, we of course pay all expenses connected with the journey. Our season commences immediately after Easter holidays and lasts till about the 25th July...... 4 Guineas a week... I remain, Yours Truly Sidney Rolleston Lieutenant"

Rolleston's letter to Underwood offering him the job
of cricket professional at Dartmouth Naval College
Monday January 26th 1880

A Rolleston Royal Tutor

Lieutenant Rolleston's picture was one of just a few included in a keepsake photo album presented to the king as a souvenir of his time as a cadet. Prince George had been sent off with his older brother Prince Albert to toughen them up and instil some discipline but young George was small and had a rough time with bullies. He recalls...

"It never did me any good to be a Prince. The Britannia was a pretty tough place, and so far from our benefiting, the other cadets made a point of taking it out of us, on the grounds that they would never be able to do it later on. There was a lot of fighting among the cadets, and the rule was if challenged you had to accept. So they used to make me go up and challenge the bigger cadets. I was awfully small then, and I'd get a hiding time and again. But one day I was landed one on the nose that made me bleed. It was the best blow I ever had, as the doctor forbade me to fight any more."

Read more about Rolleston's life and naval career by clicking here at the Tales from Watnall Hall website (it's way down in the notes for the graves article) and his life at college with the Royal princes here.

1878 - Prince George and Prince Albert Edward (Eddy) on board HMS Britannia

Who was William Underwood?

"William Underwood was one of several local players given the opportunity of first team cricket in 1881 when a number of Nottinghamshire’s professionals were on strike against the Committee. In keeping with most of the trialists, he did not do enough for a second invitation; he made 10 in his one innings, took no catches and was not called upon to bowl.

Underwood had previously appeared for the XXII Colts against the county in 1875 and 76 and in the latter season also played v Yorkshire Colts. He played most of his local cricket for Ruddington, where he was born on 26 February 1854, and was a free hitting batsman, slow right-arm bowler and fielded generally at point.
He had professional engagements at Rock Ferry, and Edinburgh Collegiate, in 1880 he became coach to the boys at the training ship HMS Britannia, at Dartmouth, a position he held until about 1900. Whilst at Dartmouth, he played county cricket for Devon, making several appearances, the last of which was v local rivals Dorset in 1895, when he made 12 and 1 and took no wickets.

William Underwood was a framework knitter by trade who died by his own hand at Bradmore, Nottinghamshire, on 9 May 1914." 

Underwood was recommended to Rolleston by one of the era's most successful and famous Notts sportsmen Richard Daft. Well known to the Rollestons, Daft rode out with Sidney Rolleston's brother Lancelot on hunting meets... https://watnallhall.blogspot.com/2022/05/a-hunting-we-will-go.html

Richard Daft's letter of recommendation
for Underwood to Rolleston

"I enclose you Mr Underwoods testimonials which speak for themselves. I can from personal knowledge confirm all that they say in his praise. He was .... ..... with S Sharpe the old professional to Rock Ferry Liverpool Club which was a capital start for a young one and gave him a thorough knowledge of the duties of a professional..........

He is a very quiet respectful man ......He is a good bowler & his style of batting well worth copying. ...... I have many applications from Clubs for m & it is difficult to get them fully suitable such as Underwood is for any place.

........ will you let me know as soon as possible if you engage him so that I may know"

c.1875 - Richard Daft, illustrious Notts cricketer
and Notts County footballer.
Painted by George Francis Miles (1852–1891)
who was a pal of Oscar Wilde (that's another story!)

100 years ago in Watnall, a Navy funeral under mysterious circumstances...

The information for this article about the Watnall Hall Navy connection with Lt. Sidney Rolleston and local cricketer William Underwood came to me out of the blue almost 100 years exactly to the day of Rolleston's funeral. Quite a coincidence!

It reveals a bit of a mystery too. Why were his wife Fanny Lillian and daughter Elma not at his funeral? They seem to have been living apart, he in hotel in Hove near Brighton and the girls in Devon. Why that is must remain for the time being pure speculation... There was a big age difference, they were cousins and the marriage was perhaps arranged to ensure the survival of the Watnall Hall family line. No other children had so far been produced from his entire generation and his siblings were all now too old to have children. His Navy career with years away at sea must not have helped either. But not even attending his funeral seems too much of a snub...

Sackville Gardens, Hove, Rolleston's place
of residence at his death

Bere Ferrers, Devon where Rolleston's wife and
daughter lived at the time of his death.

When they married in 1901, Fanny Lilian Fraser was 27 and Robert Sidney Rolleston, now a Royal Navy captain, was almost 52. The 1901 census (dated April 1st) shows them living with Fanny's recently widowed mother in at 2 Catherine Place, Bath and both are still single so they must have married later that year. Her father had died the year before. 

1901 census shows an almost 52-year-old bachelor Sidney Rolleston
living in Bath with his soon-to-be wife's family

As ever you can read more detail at the main article and particularly footnote#13...

https://watnallhall.blogspot.com/.../the-watnall-hall...

------------------

Saturday - Gazette and Echo - March 27th 1926

FUNERAL AT WATNALL.

The remains of the late Vice-Admiral Robert Sidney Rolleston, brother of Colonel Sir Lancelot Rolleston, of Watnall Hall, were laid to rest on Monday, in the private burial ground of the deceased's family at Chapel hill, on the Watnall Hall estate there being a large following of family mourners and friends of the Rolleston family.

The coffin arrived from Hove on Monday, and, covered with the white ensign, was rested in Greasley Parish Church to await the service which was held later in the day, shortly before the actual interment. The south wall of the Greasley Church contains tablets to the memory of members of the Rolleston family.

At this service there was a large gathering of people from the district and more distant places to pay a final tribute of respect to the deceased.

The service was choral, the choir leading the singing, with Mr. W. Taylor at the organ.

The Rev. J. S. Galloway, Vicar of Greasley, conducted the service and also officiated at the graveside.

The service consisted of prayers, the 23rd psalm, and the hymns, "On the Resurrection Morning." "Nearer My God to Thee," and "Now the Labourer's Task in O'er." The bearers were all employees on the Watnall Hall estate.

The chief mourners were Colonel Sir Lancelot Rolleston (brother), Lady Maud Rolleston, Mr. Alexander Fraser (brother-in-law) [must have been representing his sister Fanny Lilian (Robert Rolleston's wife) and 14 year old daughter Elma], Sir Humphrey Rolleston (cousin) [from the Robert Rolleston/Maltby Hall branch], Lady H. Rolleston [Sir Humphrey's wife Harriet?], Mr. Ian Rolleston (cousin) [Sir Humphrey's remaining son, his other was killed in WW1], Admiral John Rolleston (cousin) [of the Burton Joyce branch], Mr. Stanhope Rolleston (cousin) [of the Burton Joyce branch], Miss Helen Rolleston (cousin), and Miss Mary Chaworth-Musters (Lincoln).

Among others who followed were Colonel P [Percy]. and Mrs. Clifton (Clifton Hall), Capt. J. W. Horner (Nuttall), Mr. H. Houghton (Hempshall), Mr. R. A. Hanson, Mr. W. R. Hanson, and Mr R. M. Holden (representing Rev R. Holden, of Nuttall Temple)

Obituary in Notts Evening Post

Death Place Hove

Newspaper Title The Nottingham Evening Post

Obituary Date 19 Mar 1926

-------------------------------

Notes and Sources

Thanks to Clive O'Donnell for the heads up on the letter and cricket connection...

Auction site showing the original letter and others... https://www.easyliveauction.com/catalogue/lot/e4d4e9b5d6e9cec4003364205076f072/0af8d24542e81eb9357e7ef448a6646f/march-two-day-antique-and-collectors-auction/

Hammer £480

Cricket / Naval Interest: a collection of letters, portrait photographs, an album of early 20th Century postcards mainly to Oliver Underwood and further loose postcards, WWI postcards, family photographs for the Underwood and Attewell families of Keyworth, Bunny and Ruddington Nottinghamshire notabley items pertaining to their forebearer William Underwood Esq (1852-1914). Underwood from Ruddington was a Professional Cricketer played for Colts XXII 1875 & 1876, Nottingham CC 1st XI for one season, he also had professional engagements at Rock Ferry Liverpool and Edinburgh Collegiate. In 1880 he became coach to the Boys Cadets at the training ship HMS Britannia Dartmouth, a position he held until 1903/4. Whilst at Dartmouth, he played county cricket for Kingmear Club, Devon. This lot includes letters of recommendation, engagement and references regarding his time of coach at HMS Britannia including:

1. 72 King Street Edinburgh,letter dated November 1879,

I have much pleasure testifying to the merits of William Underwood of Ruddington, Notts, as a professional cricketer and groundsman

During the two years he has been engaged as "coach" to the Edinburgh Collegiate School he has brought up the club in a really wonderful manner. He bells, right arm, medium with great effect and is a first class batsman at the same time knowing how to impart his knowledge to others.

He made friends with all his pupils by his kindly attentions to them

Alex B Bryden Capt R.C S.C.C 1879

A sepia photograph of the Colliegate team included, mounted and unframed

2. Letter from R Daft [Proprietor: Cricket, Football & British Sports Warehouse, Nottingham] to Sidney Rollestone Esq HMS Britannia Jan 19th 1880 recommending William Underwood to the role of Cadets Cricket Coach], the letter reads:

I enclose you Mr Underwoods testimonials which speak for themselves. I can from personal knowledge confirm all that they say in his praise. He was .... ..... with S Sharpe the old professional to Rock Ferry Liverpool Club which was a capital start for a young one and gave him a thorough knowledge of the duties of a professional..........

He is a very quiet respectful man ......He is a good bowler & his style of batting well worth copying. ...... I have many applications from Clubs for m & it is difficult to get them fully suitable such as Underwood is for any place.

........ will you let me know as soon as possible if you engage him so that I may know (letter in five parts)

3. Letter from Lt. Sidney Rolleston H.M.S Britannia Dartmouth to William Underwood

Sir

Mr Daft having recommended you to me for the position of professional to H.M.S Britannia I showed your testimonials this morning to the Officer in Command was fully satisfied. We think that it would be satisfactory to yourself, if you were to see the place and have a personal interview before being finally engaged, we of course pay all expenses connectec with the journey. Our season commences immediately after Easter holidays and lasts till about the 25th July...... 4 Guineas a week...

I remain, Yours Truly Sidney Rolleston Lieutenant

The lot also includes six letters of character and excellent references regarding Underwood's time as Boys Cadets Coach HMS Britannia from the following:

4. HMS Phoebe [Sydney, Australia August 3r/04] letter from George A Hardinge, Commander who was Lieutenant during Underwood's tenure at Britannia, Hardinge was the ship cricket captain and recommends Underwood as "... he is thoroughly sober and trust worthy"....

2. 21 Chester Square SW, 24 August (19)04, letter from Vice Admiral George Moore "Having commanded HMS Britannia from 1894-1897 I have much pleasure in testifying to the valuable services of Underwood the cricket professional....

3. letter dated 17th Sept (19)04 signed Captain John de Robeck [later Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Michael de Robeck, 1st Baronet, GCB, GCMG, GCVO] which reads: "Underwood was the cricket professional to H.M.S Britannia during two periods I served in the that ship ... his character of which I formed the highest opinion. He was a good cricketer, up right and straight forward in all things and can strongly recommend him.....

4. Letter from Rear Admiral Michael Pelham O'Callaghan, August 25th 1904 which reads: Underwood acted as professional cricketer and coach to the Cadets of HMS Britannia ..... he was there when I was First Lieutenant and Captain of the Ship. And always carried out his duties with good... and great patience...

5. letter dated 14 August 1904 from Herbert Onslow, retired Rear Admiral 1905, which reads: .... "Underwood was the Naval Cadets cricket pro during the time I was Commander of the HMS Britannia ..1889 & 1891. I always fourn him a thoroughly sobar trustworthy man...

Also included James's Lillywhite's Cricketers Annual 1894, a sepia photograph of William Underwood with bat, a headed letter HMS Sans Pareil from George Hardinge to William Underwood enclosing money for a bat and discussing a possible gratuity rather than a pension [circa 1903/4] [1 box - Q]

Oscar Wilde connection...
Frank Miles and Oscar Wilde - "such white lilies" by Molly Whittington-Egan
"It was a hot summer's day in 1876, and the two young men, in their prime, were strolling around the ambages of a rectory garden. There were rose walks, and everywhere such white lilies.
The friends were close and confiding: they talked with passion of art, literature and religion, and other more intimate matters.
Baskets of strawberries were brought between sets of the new lawn-tennis. Oscar was awfully good at it - gangling, yet muscular and quick. He was in particularly fine spirits, because he has just got his First. Actually, he had never visited Frank's family at Bingham Rectory before..."