13 Facts About Ken Farnes

Ken Farnes played in fifteen Tests from 1934 to 1939.

Ken Farnes made his first-class debut for Essex in 1930, aged only 19.

Ken Farnes studied at Pembroke College, Cambridge, playing cricket in the university side for three years while continuing to play for Essex.

Ken Farnes was reduced to tears in 1932, playing against Yorkshire at Scarborough.

Ken Farnes played in the 2nd Test at Lord's, but was then injured, missing the next two Tests and only playing again towards the end of the season.

Ken Farnes's height enabled him to take many sharp catches close to the stumps.

Ken Farnes achieved his highest first-class score of 97 not out against Somerset at Taunton in 1936, putting on 149 for the tenth wicket and just missing out on his century.

Ken Farnes was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1939, and published an autobiography, Tours and Tests in 1940.

Ken Farnes joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in the Second World War, and trained in Canada.

Ken Farnes was a sergeant prior to being commissioned as a pilot officer on 1 September 1941.

Ken Farnes died shortly after returning to England, when the Vickers Wellington that he was flying crashed after takeoff from RAF Chipping Warden in Oxfordshire during a night-flying exercise, killing Farnes and Pilot Officer Cecil Hayes.

Ken Farnes is buried at the Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey.

Ken Farnes' partner at the time of his death was a widow whose only daughter married the film critic Barry Norman in 1957.