Charles Sheath. J.P., was a railway pioneer. He joined the South Eastern Railway Co. as a junior clerk in the Secretary's Office in 1864 at the age of 14, under Dr. Samuel Smiles (the well known author and social reformer) then Secretary of the Company. Charles Sheath worked his way up, becoming Company Secretary himself in 1898 and a Board Member in 1922. ln this capacity he was deeply involved in the discussions which led to the amalgamation of the South Eastern and the London, Chatham & Dover Railways to form the Southern Railway Company. He was at once made a Director of the new company, a post he held until he retired in 1939 at the tender age or 89. He had thus been employed in the emerging railway industry for no fewer than 75 years. We can safely say this record or service will never be equalled. He died the following year.

During his term as President. the cricket club continued to be in a poor way. One bright spot, however. was provided by a celebrity match on the ground in 1912 when F. H. Huish (Kent) brought a very strong team of professionals including the England Test players Patsy Hendren, E.G. Hayes, A. E. Relf and W. S. Lees to play against XVIII of Bexley. This was possibly the strongest team ever to play at Bexley. Although the professionals won easily. the match brought in much needed revenue. Mr Sheath entertained the teams to lunch. and in a speech commented that although Bexley was currently a struggling club. he saw no reason why it should not soon return to the golden years of John Shuter and Charles Horner (i.e. the 1870s,1880s)

His optimism proved well founded, for in 192J Arthur Wellard, a raw 19 year old of immense natural ability walked into the ground. From then until 192i, when he turned professional. Arthur's fast bowling and mighty hitting made Bexley a match for anyone. He went on to achieve great success and popularity with Somerset County Cricket Club. He played for England in 1937 and 1938. and was selected for the1939 MCC tour of lnclia, but that was cancelled at the outbreak of the war.