John Sayer

Mr Sayer, who lived at White Street, Easterton, had an illustrious wartime career in the Royal Navy, flying missions laying mines in Cherbourg Harbour and torpedoing German merchant shipping off the Dutch coast.

Once he had to crash land in a field just by the Suffolk coast, having run out of fuel and, on another occasion, misjudged the deck landing and his plane ended up in the sea. When he was lifted back on board and taken to sick bay, the prescribed treatment was a glass of whisky.

At 6ft 5in Mr Sayer was a ‘big man’ in more ways than one. During his career in the Royal Navy, he played cricket regularly for the Navy and the Combined Services, when the latter held first class cricket status. Mr Sayer played four first class matches, against Worcestershire CCC and the Public Schools XI, as an effective left arm spinner.

In one of the matches against the Public Schools XI, he played alongside a certain young Writer RN PBH May – Peter May who was later to skipper England – and took the wicket of Colin Cowdrey, later to play for England and Kent CCC, on a day when the PS XI contained Mickey Stewart, father of Alec, who played for England and Surrey, and Robin Marlar who subsequently played for Sussex CCC.

After he retired from the Navy he settled in Easterton, from where he played regularly for the Wiltshire Queries CC and coached cricket at Dauntsey’s School.

Mr Sayer was a wily and very accurate left arm spinner. He was particularly popular as a coach and mentor to young cricketers in Wiltshire, and especially Dauntsey’s School, who treasure very fond memories of him.

A service of thanksgiving took place on Tuesday at St Barnabas’ Church, Easterton.

Walter Ineson