Green Leonard Image 1 Lancashire 1926

Description

Whalley Manor, Lancashire born right-hand batsman Lionel Green was a military officer who played cricket for Lancashire between 1922 and 1935.

As a cricketer Green appeared in 160 first class matches between 1922 and 1935, although his appearances could be sporadic with his military commitments. As well as his batting he was an occasional wicket-keeper who also bowled on occasions. He scored 3,981 runs at an average of 25.51 with a highest score of 110 non out against Gloucestershire at Gloucester in 1923 among two centuries and held 39 catches. He took 12 wickets at 33.83 apiece with a best analysis of 2-2. He was the Lancashire club captain from 1926 until 1928

He was commissioned in the Territorial Force on 28th April 1910 as a second lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, and was promoted to lieutenant on 14th August 1913. The 4th Battalion served in the First World War as part of the 126th (East Lancashire) Brigade, during which time Green was promoted to temporary captain on 17th January 1916 and substantive captain on 26th June 1917.

Green was awarded the Military Cross on 17th December 1917. His citation read:

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty whilst assisting in extinguishing a fire at the brigade ammunition dump. On hearing than an officer of his company had been severely wounded, he at once went sixty yards across the open, under heavy shell fire, and helped to bring him to the rear aid post, carrying one end of the stretcher himself.”

He transferred to the Machine Gun Corps(Infantry) as a captain on 25th March 1918. He was promoted to major in the 4th Battalion East Lancs Regiment on 24th January 1921, and was granted rank as a temporary major in the 4th (Defence Force) Battalion on 9 April 1921. He was granted brevet rank as colonel on 16th February 1932 and substantive rank as colonel on 16th February 1934. On 30 September 1934 Green was appointed to command the 125th (Lancashire Fusiliers) Brigade, with the temporary rank of brigadier from 24 November 1937. Having exceeded the age limit, retired from the Territorial Army on 18th June 1948, retaining the rank of colonel.

Green received the Territorial Decoration on 5 May 1925, was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Lancashire on 2nd November 1935, and was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1937 Coronation Honours. As Commandant of the Lancashire Special Constabulary he was made an Additional Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 1946 New Year’s Honours and as Chairman of the Civil Defence Committee, Lancashire County Council, he was advanced to Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1959 Birthday Honours. He was High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1954.

Vintage Cricketers was founded in July 2019. There may be more photographs of this cricketer in the Vintage Cricketers library, which are due to be loaded in due course. In the meantime, please send a message to us using the contact form at the bottom left of this page and we can arrange to prepare and publish all images of this cricketer if you have a particular interest in him.