Guy Greville Napier was born in Lincoln’s Inn, London, on 26 January 1884, the only son of Thomas Bateman Napier, a Liberal politician, and his wife Florence. Guy attended Marlborough College, where for three years he played in the School cricket eleven against Rugby.  After leaving Marlborough he spent a year at school in Heidelburg before proceeding to Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he was awarded a Cricket Blue.  Guy also played for Middlesex and, after taking his  degree, obtained a University Commission in the Indian Army serving on the North-West Frontier between 1908-1914. A long leave in 1913 gave him the opportunity to return to first-class cricket but the coming of the First World War saw members of his regiment, the 35th Sikhs, seconded to the 47th Sikhs, who landed in France in September 1914. Guy survived Ypres and married his fiancee, Constance Mary Brock, whilst on a four-day leave in England, but had to return to the front line. Less than two months after their marriage he died of wounds sustained at the Battle of Loos on 25 September. 

Natalie Poulton