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Osmond Ardagh – Drowned attempting to save his dog

Osmond Charles Ardagh (1900 – 1954)

Osmond was born in Surrey in 1900

Described on Wikipedia as an English first-class cricketer; in his single first-class appearance he opened the batting against Leicestershire and scored just 2 runs.  He played for Surrey Second in the Home Counties but appears to have had more success whilst playing for Wallingford rising in importance to Vice Captain of the Wednesday Eleven. He relinquished his vice-captaincy when he resumed his appointment as Assistant Commissioner on the West Coast of Africa.

Osmond moved to Warborough, living at South Green (now 18) in the early 1940’s with his wife Margot until his death in 1954. 

His gravestone records that he ‘died in an attempt to save his dog from the frozen Thames’.  Last seen alive on 1st February 1954 his body was recovered from the Thames at Wallingford 11th March 1954

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Osmond Charles Ardagh gravestone in St Laurence Churchyard

Researched by Sandy West