1 cassette: 2 sides, total time 55 minutes 38 seconds

Cassette recording, George Dawkes, Leicestershire and Derbyshire wicket-keeper, interviewed by Mike Burns and David Kynaston. The interview took place at Markfield, Leicestershire, and consists of two sides of a cassette. Side A: [0:00-2:55] Dawkes talks about joining Leicestershire straight from school and making his debut for Leicestershire against Nottinghamshire and a bowling attack of Harold Larwood and Bill Voce, [2:55-4:05] Dawkes talks about his earnings when he began playing cricket for Leicestershire, and playing with Julien Cahn, [4:05-7:10] Dawkes talks about his memories of playing for Leicestershire including playing against the touring Australian and West Indian teams in 1938 and 1939 and his memories of George Geary, [7:10-9:50] Dawkes talks about being called up to the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, and signing for Derbyshire after the war, [9:50-11:00] Dawkes talks about playing for Derbyshire, [11:00-12:30] Dawkes talks about E J Gothard's captaincy of Derbyshire and Gothard bowling D G Bradman during the Derbyshire vs. Australians match in 1948, [12:30-13:55] Dawkes talks about playing against Australia for Derbyshire in 1948 and forgetting to put his teeth back in during the match, [13:55-16:35] Dawkes talks about H L Jackson's bowling and keeping wicket to bowlers at Derbyshire, [16:35-18:15] Dawkes talks about his style of wicket-keeping and playing for Leicester City Football Club reserves as a goalkeeper, [18:15-20:20] Dawkes talks about his favourite matches playing for Derbyshire including keeping wicket when Jackson took a hat-trick for Derbyshire against Worcestershire at Kidderminster in 1958 and taking all three catches from Jackson's bowling, and meeting Nick Owen at a dinner alongside Jackson, [20:20-22:20] Dawkes talks about his enjoyment of playing cricket, his enjoyment at keeping wicket and the team spirit at Derbyshire, and having to wear a special tie when he or his teammates recorded a pair in a match, [22:20-23:00] Dawkes talks about his worst experiences of playing cricket at Hull, and Chesterfield being his favourite ground, [23:00-24:30] Dawkes talks about cricket grounds he played at in Derbyshire, [24:30-28:10] Dawkes talks about his batting and his favourite innings of 143 against Hampshire at Burton-on-Trent (in 1954) and scoring 68 against Yorkshire (in 1948), when Yorkshire were bowled out for 44, and his memories of playing against Yorkshire and Yorkshire players, [28:10-29:10] Dawkes talks about injuries he received to his fingers during his career, [29:10-30:30] Dawkes talks about changes in equipment during his career and receiving a glove sponsorship from Baileys of Glastonbury, [30:30-31:00] Dawkes talks about working as an engineer during the winter and working for a motor company after retiring, [31:00-31:40] Dawkes talks about playing club cricket, [31:40-32:10] Dawkes talks about having two benefits with Derbyshire (in 1956 and 1962), [32:10-33:15] Dawkes talks about not playing Test cricket and playing festival cricket, [33:15-35:20] Dawkes talks about the batsman he enjoyed watching including D C S Compton and Compton's performance against Derbyshire bowlers, and socialising with Compton and other cricketers after matches, [35:20-36:15] Dawkes talks about why Derbyshire were unable to win the County Championship, [36:15-38:35] Dawkes talks about looking after Leicestershire's luggage when he joined them, and attending a players' reunion every year at Leicestershire and Derbyshire, [38:35-40:50] Dawkes talks about changes in attendances at cricket before and after the war, and being a mentor to R W Taylor and becoming a coach at Derbyshire in 1962, [40:50-43:10] Dawkes talks about amateurs and professionals at Derbyshire and Cliff Gladwin breaking a dressing room window with his bat at Lord's, [43:10-44:30] Dawkes talks about Edwin Smith, [44:30-47:38] Dawkes talks about preferring to play against quick bowlers when he batted, and recalling his first-class debut with Harold Larwood, and his memories of umpires including Alec Skelding who he would drive to matches with and having a car when he joined Derbyshire. Side B: [0:00-1:25] Dawkes talks about playing league cricket during the Second World War and the players he played against including Learie Constantine and Herbert Sutcliffe, [1:25-2:25] Dawkes talks about D B Carr being the best captain he played under at Derbyshire, [2:25-3:45] Dawkes talks about the decline in county cricket attendances during his playing career and his friendship with players from other counties, [3:45-5:00] Dawkes talks about playing against Surrey, [5:00-8:00] Dawkes talks about his relationship with Derbyshire officials including the Secretary and the bonus system to players, captaining Derbyshire and not talking too much behind the stumps when he kept wicket.

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English