Former England cricketer John Childs among first to pay tribute to Bert Mitchell, who has died aged 91
By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE
CRICKETERS and umpires past and present are expected to pack the pews at St Mary’s Parish Church in Kingskerswell on Tuesday (July 26, noon) for the funeral of Bert Mitchell.
Bert, who died recently aged 91, was a cricket player in his youth, an administrator for Kingskerswell CC after that and for more than 40 years an umpire in competitions all over Devon.
Among the many tributes received by Bert’s family following his death, was one from former Essex and England spin bowler John Childs.
Childs, like Bert a slow left-arm spinner, started his career in village cricket with Kingskerswell in the 1960s. He moved on to play for South Devon, Exeter, Devon CCC then Gloucestershire, Essex and England, but never forgot where it all began.
“One of the first messages I received after dad died was from John to say how much help he gave him in his early days,” said Paul Mitchell, Bert’s son.
Bert Mitchell, who was born in the village in 1930, was educated at Newton Abbot Grammar School then went to work for accountants Francis Clark.
Apart from 18 months’ National Service in the Army Pay Corps, Bert stayed with Francis Clark from 1948 until he retired in 1994.
Cricket was always Bert’s passion and he played from 1945-1971, mostly but not exclusively for Kingskerswell.
“Kingskerswell folded for a while because the ground was taken for housing and I played at South Devon CC instead,” said Bert in a 2015 interview.
Bert went on to captain Kingskerswell CC and was later chairman, part-time barman, president from 2005-2015 and granted life membership.
Away from the cricket ground Bert was an avid sportsman who played football at county level as a schoolboy, badminton and tennis. It was at Kingskerswell Tennis Club that he met wife Shirley. The couple, whose children are Paul and Jenny, would have celebrated their 64thwedding anniversary in September.
A pint-and-pasty reception after the service has been arranged by the family at Kingskerswell CC.
A full appreciation of Bert Mitchell’s life and sporting career will appear on this website shortly.
