A HISTORY OF
WANDSWORTH COMMON

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Wandsworth Common

Dan Leno (1860 - 1904)

DL never, so far as I know, lived near Wandsworth Common, but is associated with the area e.g. through his charity cricket matches (in support of Bolingbroke Hospital) on "Heathfield" - now called Trinity Field - photographed so marvellously by Paul Martin. Also relevant through his part-ownership of the Grand in Clapham Junction.



[PORTRAIT]

[Check, but I believe this portrait is by Paul Martin.]

(Click on image to enlarge)


"Dan Leno's team v Heathfield Eleven July 4th 1900"

["Dorrett & Martin, Photographers, 16 Belle Vue Rd, wandsworth Common."

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Well worth looking up close at the faces...

And at the view in the distance - where, I wonder? It's the field opposite the Surrey Tavern, yes - but where are the houses?

Dorrett & Martin - the photographers - were at 16 Bellevue Road

[Source: Link.]

Physical description: Monotone montage photograph, on paper. Depicting twelve scenes of cricket match held in aid of the Bolingbroke Hospital Fund. Two large scenes in the centre depict a team group photo and the cricket field. These two photographs are surrounded by smaller scenes depicting, 'The Pavilion, 'Dan Leno Collecting','The Team', 'Taking the Field', 'Not Out', 'Committee & Collector', 'Dan Leno leading his men', 'Waiting for the next victim', and 'The Team Over'.

Place of Origin: Heathfield

Date: 04/07/1900

Artist/maker: Martin, Paul, born 1864 - died 1944 (photographer)

Marks and inscriptions: 'Dan Leno's famous Cricket match played on the Heathfield Cricket Ground. Now the "Sinjun, Sports Ground, Wandsworth Common. Opposite The Sunny Tavern.' _Written on verso

The bat that Dan Leno is carrying is 'hollow' so that when he hits the ball centrally it became wedged and this made a record (?) innings.' _Written on verso

'Photo by Paul Martin' _Written on verso

'55 Hosack Road, London, S.W.17.' _Written on verso

'Photo to be returned to above' _Written on verso

'The small photos were taken with 'The Facile.' _Written on verso

'7133' _Written in pencil on verso

'M4' _Written in pencil on verso

Descriptive line: Photograph by Paul Martin, 'Dan Leno's Team vs Heathfield Eleven', 04/07/1900

Techniques: Photography

Photographs; The Royal Photographic Society; Sport; Children & Childhood; RPS Digitisation Project New

Collection: Royal Photographic Society Collection

Can we find out who the players were?






[A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PIC OF THE TEAMS]

[Have a really good look - there's SO much that's worth seeing.]

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From: Stephen Midlane _Sent: 15 May 2020 11:50_To: Philip Boys _Subject: RE: Dan leno's Team v Heathfield Eleven July 4 1900

What a great find! Perhaps we should try to re-enact this match next July!

He seems to have held lots of these charity cricket matches at various venues, including the Oval, and they were obviously wildly eccentric and great fun (they sound like the matches they hold at Wilderness Festival).

No idea about the houses in the background.





The Era, Jue/July 18900

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This image of his funeral procession shows how extraordinarily popular Dan Leno was.

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Manchester Guardian, 1 November 1904

This image of his funeral procession shows how extraordinarily popular Dan Leno was.

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There's a detailed account of his life and achievements, and the the disturbed events before his death at the age of 42 in his Wikipedia. entry. This includes:

"Leno died at his home in London on 31 October 1904, aged 43, and was buried at Lambeth Cemetery, Tooting. The cause of death is not known. His death and funeral were national news. The Daily Telegraph wrote in its obituary: "There was only one Dan. His methods were inimitable; his face was indeed his fortune ... Who has seen him in any of his disguises and has failed to laugh?' Max Beerbohm later said of Leno's death: 'So little and frail a lantern could not long harbour so big a flame'. "

More links...

Dan Leno led the consortium that built the Clapham Grand

Wikipedia: Clapham Grand.]

Arthur Lloyd: Clapham.]

Interesting, perhaps, to find more about "Miss Katie Seymour", who features in matches with Dan Leno. Did she play in the Heathfield match?

Katie Seymour



(Click on image to enlarge)

[Wikipedia: Katie Seymour.]

NPG: Katie Seymour.]

NPG: Katie Seymour.

Edmund Payne: Katie Seymour as cyclist.

Dan Leno et al were involved in charity matches elsewhere in south London.

Cricket at Dulwich. DAN LENO AND THE CHARITIES. The comic cricket match is just as much in vogue as a means of assisting charities, and the "profession" distinguishes itself lending its most enthusiastic aid to the movement. At the Grove Cricket Ground, Lord ship-lane, Dulwich, on Thursday, Dan Leno came out strong in one of his diverting matches on behalf of the Belgravia Hospital for Children, the Licensed Victuallers' School, and the Music Hall Benevolent Fund. It was nominally a cricket match, but of serious cricket there was none. Of "larks" the spectators had their fill. Dan Leno's team were all quaintly dressed, and he and Griffiths kept the fun going fast and furious for a couple of hours. Associated with them were Barina, Elen, Ernest Shand, G. Mozart, Fred Walton, Will Oliver, T. E. Dunville, Tom Costello, Joe Elvin, Charlie Gray, and Herbert Campbell. the professionals were met by a team from Messrs. Dewar's, among these being I', Turner (captain), W. Mott, C. Casey, Frank Mayo (of the Richmond Association), A. Buicchi, G. Park, Cooper, F. Trimmer, Charles Cocksly, and J. Lash mar. During the afternoon several thousand persons must have been present. Needless to say they were afforded the maximum amount of enjoyment for their very moderate entrance fee, and three charities benefited immensely.

(unedited)

[Source: Link.]

MUMMERS AT CRICKET. DAN LENO AND KATIE SEYMOUR GET UP A CRICXETEF ATCIIT FOR A 1DESERVING '?? T "dA RITY.. . H6=lq- somewhere in the receises of Hamp- ton tourt, unhearde.of, almbst unknown by .the worid outside tha demesne covering the .Kingsto6n affd Molesey districts, is a modest littJ4 charit~y-tlie *rtian of a,.group or tender 'w6onen-which, in its owh unobtrusive .way, 'accomplishes bhe maximum'.of good year'by year.?? It is known as -tli'e East Mlesey:Codttage Hospital, designed by its ieminiin0.,founders foy the succour of the poor af the district' who standi in need of immerdiate shelter- and medical relief. But':thei tiny hospital, &ecoihpiibhlg- its mission with unlagging conscienth'i'tsness, often staggers for want of funds. .This: i why the lnbthers of the up-the-river'summer colony' ofa 'actresses, beginning wvth-. Miss Katie Seymour, Messrs. Harry Athol, Edward 'Lauri, and Walter Cxeswick, conceived and 'arried oat a day's;.spoit,- whih' in respect of.snarp, dash,' and 6rigi nality was without a parallel. 'The'.ett re- -,lt of th eireffort is -that the Ch6tt6ge 'os- Lpifalwill -be nearly* a thousandi pound' richer. Navture, lending her aid'to the good - worl, smilei upon- all things,- and perhaps gave a certain zest to 'the'work of~the good- hearted men and woraen of the stage, who,' in response to the call' of Miss Seymour, had traivelled down to -Hampton to give of their best tsalent in aid of suffering-%'umanity;.; Thus vre had Misi Sevrnour at. "the head of a cricket team of professional ladies oppo- sing Dan Leno (as himself). Fred Wright Ijun; '(as A What Is It");-,Edward Lauri (in the blonde wig and short skirt's' l " Miss Ancient ights, .the back r'w-fairy) h unt- ley,Wriit?? The Stage M'anagek "), Law= rence 'Athol ("The Dancing Beai"), Fred- Griffithl ("The, Bear's Keeper"),Harry Grattan ("The Moral Investi-ator ") Harry Athol" ("The Gentleran fa ") ared Walton (" Daddy Aires ), Lionel iaekindor ("A P~all M41 Exquisite "), Harr/'-Randall, 'the Mai Naughtons,' Bromley Davenport' and- C. W. F. L6bbett, with James! Chilcott(as- "A Rearguard Polieeman "). I The things accomplished by tthe various gentlemen in the field are impossible of de- seription.- Miss Seymour and Miss Leigh at the wicket 'knoeked-the ball over two fields, and went ehead meffily piling up runs. Then, yelled Mr. Lauri " Mit-s Seymour i's out;" and was rewaoded writhtwot resounding slaps for his palne. - Then he lay on' the?? hysterically calling fir smelling salts?? the police. 'And ini the next morierit his fair assailant, inn the ehaxacter' of a modern Atalant-, 'was dying over the field, the police- ian, tramps, chorus, and Tobb in-wild pur- suiit.- The pursuers fell over each other, and the lady came in alone.' It wivs refreshing to see 'Mt¢. Laurence thl 'as -the bear danming'at' the end of a chain,: and Walter' Creswick,, as a cewbov, ta-king fancy shots at Mr. Lauri's golden ringlets. And little wonder 'Miss Palot' 'could not bowl, *hile Mr. Griffiths and Mr. Harry Athol turned handsprings on the field. - ' The American Bicycle Polo Team gave their clever exhibition. And in the Concert Tent the audience' held their sides almost from the time they entered until they left again.

(unedited)

[BNA: Link.]

DAN LENO'S CRICKET TEAM. Dan Leno (represented » clerer impersonator) and his team music hall cricketers yesterday met, in kumik cricket match, Kennington Oval, Sir Thomas Dewar's team well-known gentlemen. Upwards of 20.000 spectators assembled to watch the fan, and. the match was in aid of three Charities the Homo Hall Benevolent Funds Licensed Victuallers' Asylum, and Cricketers' Fund-the professional cricketer did not find much criticise, but great fan chronicle, in the rcoeatne burlesque of the game which was set up. Dan Leno's doable" - Mr. Leno being indisposed and, under medical adrien, inking rest in the Ida of Wightdressed an Admiral, marched proudly round the namoos ground the head of his troop, who were so disguised render recognition difficult. A. Treeaider was attired an Indian Chief; A. Mott and J. Tattoo British sailors; J. Mills, down; A. Borewin, Admiral of the Fleet; F. Hsytor, huntsman;J. M'Kaig and W. W. Palmer as lawyer and sailor; A. Wright, a Wandle pirate; others appeatndas constables, Hootch men, ladies of uncertain age, and jogglers. Dans sword appeared caose him much trouble, and in the of everybody, end when Um less took place which side was to go in first serimmsce toilowed of moss amusing character, both aides rolling about the ground, swords, hata, and Ailing the air. bir Thos. Dewar team won the toss, but Dan Leno and his men pitched the others oat, sod wens in themselves. Little Dando, a man ' three feet in height, and _. Mutt, man of 16 stone, worn the first to ** bat," and in very few minutes Mott was disqualified for humping, with score of 99; and soon afterwards Little Dando was carried out four soldiers and sailors - because he would not go out - with score of 195. Other scores were W. Colimson, "called to the bar" (canteen), 100; A. Tressider, "head before the wicket," 10; Cecil M«-rrte, " caught by policeman," 2; Darn ley. retired to "Giddy Ostend" with "The Country Girl," 50; Grill (attired womani, gone to see the " New Barmaid," I; Egbert, retired thirsty, ISO; end Hercules, "bowled out" "The Little French Milliner," 13. Thus Little Dando achieved the honour of making the highest score.

Eventually Dan's team was declared finisued, with score of 750; and then controversy arose shoot Sir T. Dewar's team, objection being taken their bowling because they were " under proof." Matters were finally adjusted by their score beiug placed on the board 750; and the game being declared tie. In consequence of the enormous area of the ground the players had wander roun I groups, giving eccentric performances, and th s caused the utmost amusement to the vast concourse of people. There was happy company, with Dan's double Umir head, larking about one moment, when they were pursued Clown on bicycle, drawn sword band, and put to flight. There were two bands upon the ground - the Divuivu of Police and the King's Colonials, and in the temporary absence of the latter all their instruments were commandeered ' - the Clowns took the drums, the Bailors the trumpets, Huntsman the cymbals; while " Little Dando took ail the remaining instruments to pieces. The new band paraded the ground, each playing different tune, escorted by cyclists with drawn swords. Colonials had all returned before the musical parade was over, aud the Pirate Band unblusbingly marched up to the bandstand and surrendered the instruments, amid the laughter of all. Credit is due many excellent including the Brothers iCgbert, the Selbinis, the Coilinsons. sod the Hanlln Company for their services; and the success of the day was largely due to the labours Messrs. W. Calling ham. J. W. Mark. W. Mott, J. \¥. Btckell, and A. Bioochi. THIS DAY'S MATCHES. I-wT*. Torittiisv (Cliott County) v. Rnt of (PrtMflt Of CrkKotora' Fond). Booruemouth. South r. Austrahaua.

[BNA: Link.]

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