The Walkers of Southgate and Middlesex: A Cricketing Fraternity

Martin Chandler | 9:14am GMT 10 December 2023

Published: 2018
Pages: 134
Author: Jouning, Peter
Publisher: Private
Rating: 3 stars

I did realise that this book was published back in 2018, but despite that have only just got around to acquiring a copy. The reason for this delay does me no credit whatsoever as I decided, on the strength of no evidence whatsoever, that it would be nothing more than a quick rehash of WA Bettesworth’s 1900 book that deals with the same subject, and has a very similar title.

My attitude was not helped when I read the second sentence of the book proper, the Walkers are the only family in the world known to have provided seven brothers to play for a First Class cricket team. That the author seemed not to have heard of the Fosters of Worcestershire was, to say the least, troubling. But then I don’t normally give authors a hard time, even less those who have the courage to self publish, so perhaps this one would make a refreshing change.

So I carried on, pencil at the ready in order to scribble down notes about the book’s worst features. I did note a few, missing page numbers, no index and the text not being justified, but as far as the content is concerned that missed the gripe list, because despite all my misgivings the book is actually a decent read, well researched by a man who clearly does love and understand our great game.

The Walker brethren came from a privileged background the family business, the old Taylor Walker brewery, providing immense wealth and a lifestyle that afforded the seven brothers plenty of time to concentrate on cricket. The eldest of the brethren, John, made his First Class debut in 1846 and the youngest, Donnie (ID), played his last in 1884.

Despite his relative youth compared to his brothers Donnie was 33 when the inaugural Test was played, so international cricket came too late to enable the Walkers to make their mark. Not all were top class players, but Donnie, Teddy (VE) and Russie (RD) all have decent records over lengthy careers.

The brotherhood’s contributions to Southgate and Middlesex extended well beyond their prowess on the cricket field and included many philanthropic acts. Joining looks primarily at their lives generally, and whilst there is a biographical chapter on each of the brothers, and some sterling on field performances are recorded, he does not becoming bogged down in detailed analyses of cricket matches that are now all but forgotten.

Despite my early misgivings I much enjoyed reading The Walkers of Southgate and Middlesex, and  for anyone interested in learning about this remarkable family it is an excellent first port of call. For anyone who is then really captivated by the book and wants to learn more about the brothers and their cricketing achievements they can then move on to the antiquarian booksellers and seek out a copy of Bettesworth. It isn’t the commonest of books, its antiquity ensures that, but it is by no means the costliest.