John Frederick Parker was born in Battersea 23/04/13. He joined Surrey shortly after celebrating his 18th birthday in 1931 and played in 334 matches for Surrey (1932-52). He was selected to go on the M.C.C. tour to India 1939/40 (tour abandoned due to the outbreak of WW2). Parker was an attacking middle order right hand batsman; a right arm medium pace bowler and a fine slip field.
The "Battersea Bradman" hit 1,000 runs in a season nine times (best 1789, an40.65 in 1949). Both his double centuries were for Surrey, the highest being 255 v New Zealanders at the Oval in 1949.
Jack Parker played twice for the Ramblers - at Brook in 1946 in the Club's 2nd match since their formation and at Steyning in 1951. His game at Brook on Sunday, July 28th 1946 came in the middle of the Surrey/Yorkshire County Championship match at the Oval in which he obtained a 'king pair' - bowled Robinson on both occasions. He fared considerably better against the Brook bowling, scoring 84 before being caught off "Noxer" Hardy (Alan Hardy's uncle). He hit 9 fours and 4 sixes. Ramblers declared at 243-8 in this 12-a-side match (G.P."Blackie" Blackmore 50). Brook were soon 14-5 and only G.A.Stogdon (46) stood in Ramblers' way as Blackmore and Parker again held centre stage. The pair opened the bowling and Blackmore returned figures 9.4-3-19-6 including 4 wickets for 5 runs in his last 3 overs. Parker took 3 wickets for 5 runs in his first 6 overs and finished with 4-18 off 11 overs. He was reported to be suffering from severe bouts of rheumatism during this summer and back problems plagued him throughout his career.
Parker's second match was in 1951 - his Benefit year. The game was against Steyning on Sunday, September 13th. The home side won the toss and inserted Ramblers who lost Norman Lock in the 3rd over - caught slip (0) at 7-1. Parker joined George Porter and the pair put on 79 in the next hour before Porter was out. Parker lasted another 10 minutes and was out caught for 70 (3 fours and 1 six - the only one of the day).
The following year Jack Parker had the satisfaction of seeing his county win the County Championship for the first time since 1914. He scored 14,272 runs in first-class cricket @ 31.58; took 543 wickets @ 28.87 and caught 331 catches. He died on January 26th, 1983.
