Lionel Booth (cricketer)

Lionel Edward Blakeney Booth (21 December 1850 — 9 July 1912) was an English first-class cricketer and British Army officer.

The son of Lionel Booth, he was born at Marylebone in December 1850. He was educated at Wellington College, Berkshire.[1] After leaving Wellington, he was commissioned into the 104th Regiment of Foot as a sub-lieutenant in January 1872.[2] He was promoted to lieutenant in January 1872, which was antedated to the date of his commission.[3] Booth transferred to the Duke of Wellington's Regiment in July 1875, at which point he was made a captain.[4] He served in the Second Anglo-Afghan War, with Booth being promoted to brevet major in September 1882, in recognition of his service during the conflict.[5] He played first-class cricket for the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1885, making a single appearance against Hampshire at Southampton.[6] Batting once in the match, he was dismissed for 8 runs in Hampshire's first innings by H. H. Armstrong.[7]

As his military career continued, Booth was seconded for service on the staff in August 1889, being appointed aide-de-camp to Major-General Sir T. D. Baker in British India.[8][9] His promotion from brevet major to major came in August 1890,[10] with promotion to lieutenant colonel following in December 1898.[11] He was placed in command of the 16th Regimental Division of the Bedfordshire Regiment in October 1902, with Booth being made a colonel upon his appointment.[12] He retained this command until October 1906,[13] after which he retired from active service in December 1907.[14] He died at Billingham Manor on the Isle of Wight in July 1912.[15]