Cricketer. "The greatest batsman ever known until the appearance of W.G.Grace" (The Cricketer). He played for Norfolk, Leicestershire, Kent and England. Born in Horningtoft, (incorrectly given on the grave marker as 'Horningcroft') near Brisley, Norfolk, Fuller Pilch came from a cricketing family - his elder brothers Nathaniel and William and his nephew William all played first class cricket. At just over six feet he was unusually tall for Victorian times, which gave him superior reach and power as a batsman. His characteristic attacking, forward batting style became known as 'the Pilch Poke'. He scored ten centuries in the course of his playing career, unremarkable by modern standards but a real achievement on the rough pitches of the day - Pilch was reputed to mow his wicket with a scythe before taking guard. He was one of the first batsmen to wear pads, and the earliest surviving example, from the 1840s, was his. After retirement from professional cricket in 1855 after 19 seasons in the Kent team Pilch had the Saracen's Head public house in Burgate, Canterbury. He was the first groundsman at the St Lawrence Cricket Ground, Canterbury, from its opening in 1847 to 1868.
His grave was formerly marked with an obelisk, which was removed to the St Lawrence Ground in 1978 after the redundancy of St Gregory's Church. Its precise location, following redevelopment of part of the cricket ground for housing, is still unclear. A modern granite marker has been supplied at the former St Gregory's Church by Christ Church Canterbury University, who now use the church as a concert hall.
His grave was formerly marked with an obelisk, which was removed to the St Lawrence Ground in 1978 after the redundancy of St Gregory's Church. Its precise location, following redevelopment of part of the cricket ground for housing, is still unclear. A modern granite marker has been supplied at the former St Gregory's Church by Christ Church Canterbury University, who now use the church as a concert hall.
Cricketer. "The greatest batsman ever known until the appearance of W.G.Grace" (The Cricketer). He played for Norfolk, Leicestershire, Kent and England. Born in Horningtoft, (incorrectly given on the grave marker as 'Horningcroft') near Brisley, Norfolk, Fuller Pilch came from a cricketing family - his elder brothers Nathaniel and William and his nephew William all played first class cricket. At just over six feet he was unusually tall for Victorian times, which gave him superior reach and power as a batsman. His characteristic attacking, forward batting style became known as 'the Pilch Poke'. He scored ten centuries in the course of his playing career, unremarkable by modern standards but a real achievement on the rough pitches of the day - Pilch was reputed to mow his wicket with a scythe before taking guard. He was one of the first batsmen to wear pads, and the earliest surviving example, from the 1840s, was his. After retirement from professional cricket in 1855 after 19 seasons in the Kent team Pilch had the Saracen's Head public house in Burgate, Canterbury. He was the first groundsman at the St Lawrence Cricket Ground, Canterbury, from its opening in 1847 to 1868.
His grave was formerly marked with an obelisk, which was removed to the St Lawrence Ground in 1978 after the redundancy of St Gregory's Church. Its precise location, following redevelopment of part of the cricket ground for housing, is still unclear. A modern granite marker has been supplied at the former St Gregory's Church by Christ Church Canterbury University, who now use the church as a concert hall.
His grave was formerly marked with an obelisk, which was removed to the St Lawrence Ground in 1978 after the redundancy of St Gregory's Church. Its precise location, following redevelopment of part of the cricket ground for housing, is still unclear. A modern granite marker has been supplied at the former St Gregory's Church by Christ Church Canterbury University, who now use the church as a concert hall.
Gravesite Details
The University has given assurances that the grave will not be disturbed by any future building works.
