Mexborough and Swinton Times April 13, 1928

Rector’s Eulogy
“A Yorkshire Wicket Down.”

Canon S. T. G. Smith, Rector of Wombwell, conducted the service and delivered an address.

He began ‘ A. Yorkshire wicket has fallen, and one of Yorkshire’s best men is out, We lament the loss not only of a great cricketer, but of a cricketer such as Roy Kilner was.”

The Rector said it was not for him to attempt to recall to their minds the record of Roy Kilner or even to mention any particular achievement of the many that marked his career. To endeavour to do so would be presumptuous on his part, and especially to such a gathering as he saw before him consisting chiefly of Roy Kilner “pals” in the game and some who had been associated with him in those achievements. If their powers of recollection needed stimulating the press had given them all the reminiscences they required and had paid high tribute to Kilner’s skill and renown as a cricketer but also to his sterling character, and his genial and happy disposition.

The cricketing fraternity of the world; and those particularly of Yorkshire knew him well, but they in his native town they knew him better. It was not always in a man’s public career that his real character was registered.

Public reputation and private character did not always tally. It was in his own neighbourhood and at home that the true man was revealed. It was Roy Kilner’s consistency of character that aroused respect and admiration and would cause his memory to be cherished. They knew him in Wombwell as a friend of all. He was the pride of the town, and to be associated with him in any way was a pleasure.

Wombwell seem destined to produce successful exponents in the national game. He recalled that immediately after they have fêted Roy Kilner on his return from the Australian tour three years ago, they accorded honours to Fred Tunstall, who had won distinction by scoring the goal that won for Sheffield United the English Cup.

That so many representative of the sister game had attended to pay last tribute was an expression they appreciated. Mentioning that only a few years ago they laid to rest with similar honours, Mr Irving Washington, also Yorkshire County cricketer of his day, the Rector said that the whole Kilner family were respected and honoured. In the death of Roy Kilner they were mourning the loss of one on themselves. He was baptised in the church, went through their Sunday schools as a scholar, was a member of the Wombwell Company of the Church Lads Brigade, that wonderful church organisation that had turned out such splendid fellows which had compelled the credit of their church and of their country.

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