A book by Birmingham Post cricket correspondent Brian Halford has been
a brilliant former Warwickshire all-rounder whose career - and life - was tragically cut short by the First World War.
Upon the outbreak of war, Jeeves was among the first to volunteer to join the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in whose service
Even though his name was cruelly prevented from appearing on England cricket scorecards, but it was perpetuated by PG Wodehouse.
An ardent cricket-lover, the writer saw Jeeves play for Warwickshire at Cheltenham in 1913 and was so impressed by the player’s immaculate style and conduct that, three years later, when he created a character with those attributes, he used the name.
Hence the ‘Jeeves’ manservant to Bertie Wooster.
“To be short-listed for this very prestigious award is a great honour,” said Halford.
“I am delighted that Percy’s story - and the appalling and desperately sad fate that awaited him and many thousands of comrades in the trenches of the Western Front - has evoked such great interest almost 100 years later.”
The award winner from the six-strong short-list will be named at a ceremony in the Long Room at Lord’s cricket ground, on Friday May 9.
• Brian Halford and Bears captain Jim Troughton will discuss at the Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, as part of on Friday May 2.
Jim's father David, an RSC actor, will also deliver readings from the book, subject to his acting commitments.
Tickets for the event are £8 available
