Obituary notice in "THE (Farnham/Haslemere) HERALD" - Friday, August 8th, 1975

Sportsman's sudden death

MR. "MIKE" GAUNTLETT

As briefly reported last week, Mr. Walter Herbert Frank Tremayne Gauntlett died suddenly at his home in Boundstone Road, Rowledge. He was 61.

"Mike" Gauntlett as he was generally known was, born at Chiddingfold,  the youngest of four children. He spent his childhood in the village and later attended Shaftesbury Grammar School, Dorset. where he became Head of School. He was in the school cricket XI for four years, the last two as captain, and also captained the school soccer and athletics' teams.

After a period. teaching at various schools, including Victoria College, Jersey, and Ewell Castle School, Ewell, he entered the paint Industry and remained associated with it for the rest of his life. It is however in the field of sport that people will associate his name best.

In 1946, when the original Chidding:fold Cricket Club met to consider their future in the light of the fact that their  ground at Sydenhurst, behind the church,. had been ploughed up "for the war effort", Mike Gauntlett offered to take over such assets as remained (a few pounds at the bank and a heavy roller), and start a wandering side. Thus Sydenhurst Ramblers were born. They played their first match at Normandy C.C. in August of that year and won (see note below).  Under his leadership on the field and organisation off it, the Ramblers went from strength to strength and today, largely through his efforts, have a fixture list that is equal to many leading club sides in the South of England.

During the years immediately after the war, Mike Gauntlett also became closely, associated with Brook Cricket Club. He succeeded Aubrey Raphael as captain in 1950 and became hon. secretary in 1954. He managed the considerable feat of combining these two increasingly arduous tasks for 10 years until 1964, when he gave up the captaincy. He continued as hon. secretary until 1973, and subsequently became chairman. He finally retired from office last year and was elected a life member.

Mike Gauntlett was also well known locally in the golf world. He joined West Surrey Golf Club, of which his father had been a founder member, between the wars and served as a director for many years. Latterly he was elected a vice president and at his death was the oldest subscribing member.

During the early fifties he was a popular member of the Guildford and District Golfing Alliance at whose meeting he won several trophies often in partnership with Max Faulkner. He founded the T.H.G.S along with several golfing friends and served as its secretary for most of its 24 years.

It is however, with cricket that Mike Gauntlett will be best remembered. His name, Brook, and the Ramblers are synonymous with all that is good about the summer game. Club cricketers and those who love the game will be sadder for his going.

He leaves his wife, Joan, and two married sons.

Note: Ramblers played their first match against Farncombe at Broadwater, 7th July 1946.