Thomas Belcher (cricketer)

Thomas Hayes Belcher (12 September 1847 — 26 November 1919) was an English first-class cricketer, clergyman and schoolmaster.

Belcher was born at Faringdon in September 1847. He studied on a scholarship in classics at The Queen's College, Oxford.[1] While studying at Oxford, he played first-class cricket for Oxford University on seven occasions in 1869–70.[2] A right-arm roundarm fast bowler, Belcher took 20 wickets at an average of 20.57, with best figures of 4 for 22.[3] Upon graduating from Oxford he took holy orders and became a schoolmaster. He initially taught at the Hereford Cathedral School for two years, and for seven years thereafter he was the senior assistant master at Malvern College. In 1881, he was elected to the post of principal of Brighton College, a role he held until 1892.[4] He retired in 1892 and upon doing so he became the rector of St James' Church at Bramley, Hampshire.[5] He remained in the post of rector until his death in November 1919.[6] His son, Gordon, also played first-class cricket. Gordon and two other sons, Harold and Raymond were killed in the First World War, while his son Arthur was the headmaster of Brighton College in 1933.

Thomas Belcher's sister Marian Belcher (1849–1898) was headmistress at Bedford High School.[7]