It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dr Alan K Armitage (ON 1940-1948) who was the oldest surviving Notts cricketer.

Alan joined Nottingham High School in January 1938, age 7. He was a member of Mellers’ House and eventually became House Captain.

During his time at School, Alan enjoyed rugby and cricket and played for both the 1st XV rugby team and the 1st XI cricket team. He became Captain of Fives in 1946-47, Captain of Cricket in 1948 and was awarded the Roger and Lionel West Memorial Prize for Sporting Achievement the same year.

Taken from The Nottinghamian, 1948

" Armitage, the captain, started the season uncertainly with small scores. His early shots are apt to be up in the air; he seems to have a weakness for the short ball on the off, flashes his bat optimistically, and the ball sails over the head of point or cover.  But he is always on the lookout for runs, he hits the ball very hard, and his off-drives and shots off the back foot are delightful.  His century against Forest Amateurs was a fine knock".

Remembering his time playing cricket at School, Alan said:

“The 1946-1948  teams were good ones thanks to a large extent to the excellent coaching and encouragement over the years of Beaky Bridge and Jimmy Sadler, who captained the 1947 side, and subsequently coached the school team for many years and was another person who contributed significantly to the excellence of NHS cricket.  One memorable highlight of the 1948 side was the 250 odd runs we scored against Stamford School including a rapid century from fast bowler Geoff Yates.  I would be interested to know if any team has scored more runs (say 300)  in the last 74 seasons in a Saturday afternoon fixture!”
 

As Command Sergeant Major (CSM) in the Junior Training Corps (JTC),  Alan was awarded the Prize for Best Squad Instructor in 1948.

Towards the end of his time at Nottingham High School he became a School Prefect and in 1947-48 he was Vice-Captain of the School.

After Nottingham High School, Alan joined the Army Education Corps and later gained a place at Wadham College, Oxford, to read Chemistry. He went on to complete a PhD in Pharmacology also at Oxford, before moving to Kent where he met his future wife, Jill. They later settled in Yorkshire, where Alan lived for the rest of his life. Jill sadly passed away in 2010.

Our sincere condolences go to his four sons — Jonathan, Christopher, Timothy and Nicholas — his eight grandchildren, and all of Alan’s family and friends.