John Sayer (cricketer)
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Hong Kong
Easterton, Wiltshire, England
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | John Druce Sayer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 29 October 1920 Hong Kong | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 27 October 2013 (aged 92) Easterton, Wiltshire, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Unknown | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Slow left-arm orthodox | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 15 March 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
John Druce Sayer (29 October 1920 – 27 October 2013) OBE was an English first-class cricketer and an officer in both the Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Navy. Serving in the Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War, Sayer took part in mining operations against German-occupied channel ports, as well flying anti-U-boat missions during the Battle of the Atlantic. Following an injury sustained during an accident, Sayer transferred to the naval branch in 1947. He continued to serve in the Royal Navy until 1970, undertaking various duties during that time. He also played first-class cricket for the Combined Services cricket team.
Sayer was born at Hong Kong.[1] He was educated at Shrewsbury School, before enlisting in the Royal Navy as part of the Fleet Air Arm.[1] He served during the Second World War in 811 Squadron, flying Fairey Swordfish in mining and torpedo operations against German occupied ports in Belgium, France and the Netherlands.[1][2] He was based firstly at RNAS Lee-on-Solent,[1] before moving to RAF Thorney Island.[3] He later served aboard HMS Biter in November 1942,[3] from which he flew anti-U-boat missions during the Battle of the Atlantic,[1] with Sayer piloting Vought Chesapeake dive bombers in 1943.[1] Later in 1943, he undertook duties as an air gunnery officer, which lasted until 1945.[1] Shortly after the war, he served aboard in the Mediterranean aboard the light aircraft carrier HMS Triumph, flying the Fairey Firefly.[1]