Percival Sanger


Percival Bertram Sanger was an English first-class cricketer, polo champion and British Army officer. In a military career which spanned from 1918-1947, he served in both the British Army and the British Indian Army. Additionall, he played first-class cricket for the British Army cricket team, as well as winning the prestigious Hurlingham Club Championship in polo.

Life and military career

Sanger was born at Reading and was educated at Cheltenham College. From there he attended the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, graduating in June 1918 as a second lieutenant in the Royal Artillery and serving in the latter stages of the First World War. He made a single appearance in first-class cricket for the British Army cricket team against the Royal Navy at Lord's in July 1925. Batting once in the match, he scored 2 runs in the Army's only innings, before being dismissed by Dallas Brooks. Playing as a wicket-keeper, he also took two catches and made a single stumping.
He was seconded for service with the Colonial Office in September 1925, by which point he held the rank of lieutenant. He was granted the temporary rank of captain in March 1929, while serving with the Royal West African Frontier Force. He was restored to the Royal Artillery in November 1929, after ceasing to be employed in the Royal West African Frontier Force. By 1931, Sanger was serving in the British Indian Army as a captain. He was promoted to the rank of major in September 1938. He served during the Second World War with the British Indian Army as part of the Prince Albert Victor's Own Regiment. Following the conclusion of the war, Sanger was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in December 1945, with seniority antedated to June 1944.
While serving in India he was a noted 8-goal handicap polo player. Sanger took part in the Inter-regimental Tournament, the Western India Championship, the Radha Mohan Tournament, and the Queen's Bay Challenge Cup. In England he was a previous Hurlingham Club champion and winner of the Hargreaves Cup. He retired from active service in the British Indian Army in April 1947, retaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. Although in retirement, he gained the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Royal Artillery in January 1949. Having exceeded the age for recall, he was removed from the reserve of officers list in October 1954. He died in September 1968 at Avebury, Wiltshire.