Bert Folkard: The Pride of Callan Park
Archie Mac and Martin Chandler |Published: 2025
Pages: 154
Author: Lloyd, Peter and Rodgers, Pat
Publisher: Private
Rating: 4 stars
Martin’s Review
In recent years Peter Lloyd has immersed himself on the subject of Australian cricketers of the closing years of the ‘Golden Age’ and the 1920s. He has treated us to the fullest possible biographies of three of the giants of that era, Warren Bardsley, Monty Noble and Charlie Macartney and, I believe, is currently researching the biggest name of all.
Pat Rodgers has done much the same but, certainly as far as publishing is concerned, he has concentrated on the lesser known. His subjects have included three men who never played Test cricket, Alec Kermode, Arthur McBeath and Jack Cuffe, and most recently a man capped just four times, Syd Emery.
Their paths having clearly crossed Messrs Lloyd and Rodgers have decided to collaborate on a project and this excellent biography is the result. Past history suggests that perhaps Rodgers had more say in the choice of subject matter, albeit the general approach of the book is more that of Lloyd, by which I mean the subject is a man who never played Test cricket, Bert Folkard, who has life has been subjected to the sort of treatment that was received by Bardsley, Noble and Macartney.
To be fair to Folkard, one of those invited to take part in the tour of South Africa that was scheduled for 1914/15, had the Great War not scuppered the plans for that series he would almost certainly have been a Test player, but as he would have been pushing 37 by the end of the tour his would never have been a long international career.
In the event Folkard’s entire First Class career consisted of just 15 appearances, all for New South Wales, and all bar one (against MCC during their 1920/21 tour) in the four year period before the war. Folkard’s First Class figures suggest he was a medium paced bowling all rounder although his record in club cricket, which is examined in detail, make it clear that at that level he was a genuine batsman as well. A substantial reason for the lateness and relative brevity of Folkard’s First Class career seems to have been a lack of athleticism in the field.
Folkard’s background and family connections are explored at length in the course of the book, as is his connection with the ‘Callan Park Hospital for the Insane’ where he spent his working life as an attendant. This causes the authors to examine in some detail the provision made for the treatment of the mentally ill in this period and the importance of the hospital’s cricket team, which Folkard was a major part of. An interesting digression concerns the life, and indeed death, of Wally Duff, older brother of the better known Reggie Duff. Unlike his kid brother Wally never played for Australia, but he was briefly a First Class cricketer and he was one of those cared for by the hospital.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given his occupation Folkard seems to have been a well liked and respected family man with much to give back to his community. The story of his life and career is an interesting one well told and, as much so, a vivid social history of Callan Park. The book, available from Roger Page in Australia and Red Rose Books in the UK, is highly recommended and, always worthy of comment, has a full statistical section, is well illustrated and has an excellent index. I hope this is not the last collaboration we see from these two very fine historians.
Archie’s Review
A book written by two of my favourite authors, how could you go wrong! Well simply you couldn’t. The topic they chose for their collaboration was a surprise. I pride myself on knowing the Golden Age better than most, however my only real knowledge of Bert Folkard was his inclusion on the tour that never was.
The 1914 proposed trip to South Africa was to be a full tour including five Tests. We learn that Folkard was given his spot after a number of ‘certainties’ including Clem Hill, Victor Trumper, ‘Ranji’ Hordern and Vernon Ransford withdrew. Even then, a few more of the original team had to withdraw before Folkard was invited. At 37, this was his last chance to make his Test debut, and also his only opportunity to travel outside of Australia.
To be honest, even with all the withdrawals Folkard’s age and first class record probably didn’t justify his inclusion. A dominant all rounder in Sydney Grade cricket, his batting technique at first class level appears to have been exposed. 280 runs @ 13.33. His bowling held up well; 45 wickets @ 26.97. Added to this, Folkard was a slow mover, which made him a potential liability in the field.
So, we have a biography of a cricketer who was barely first class and almost certainly not Test standard which you would ordinarily equate to not much of a read, and probably in most authors’ hands this may have been the case. Rodgers and Lloyd however, have crafted a fascinating story, of a hard working family man who loved his cricket. This is still the case of many long serving grade stalwarts. The point of difference with Folkard was his occupation. He worked in the mental health industry as a wardsmen at the Callan Park asylum.
Folkard worked and lived on the grounds of Callan Park for his entire career. We learn that the staff worked long hours, for an average wage and regular occupational danger. The authors are to be congratulated on their research into the field of mental health and how those issues were dealt with in the late 19th and early 20th century.
One of the strategies of the time was to engage in structured sport and cricket was favoured. So much so that Callan Park had one of the best wickets in Sydney and in Folkard, one of the best all rounders. The quality of the wicket and the strength of the team saw many impressive cricketers appear at Callan Park, including Charlie Macartney, Arthur Mailey and Don Bradman.
When not dominating for Callan Park, Folkard was a legend of the Balmain Cricket Club where he still holds a number of records. As he aged, Folkard became a mentor and coach to many young cricketers. His most famous protégé, apart from Mailey, was the highly talented but sadly ill-fated Archie Jackson, who some say may have matched Bradman if he wasn’t struck down by illness.
This is a quality production, impeccably written and researched, not just on Folkard’s cricketing exploits but also on Callan Park and the care of those struggling with mental health. Strongly recommended.
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