Gilly Reay

Wisden obituary
Gilbert Martin Reay, who died in hospital on January 31, aged 80, took 91 wickets for Surrey when available as a tall, well-built amateur fast-medium bowler between 1913 and 1923. He received his county cap in 1920 when, in his best season, he dismissed 42 batsmen for 18.71 runs each, and he represented Gentlemen v Players at The Oval in 1923. Gilly Reay achieved many notable feats for Beddington CC, whom he assisted for 42 years, several as captain, from 1904. A tremendous hitter, he once struck five 6's in an innings of 127.
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack

The Cricketer obituary
Gilbert Martin Reay,the former Surrey bowler, died in hospital at Croydon on January 30, aged 80. Born on January 24, 1887, he was educated at Radcliffe College and joined Beddington-the club to which he was to remain devoted for the rest of his life-at the age of 17 in 1904. Known to all as " Gilly," he was a formidable right-arm fast-medium bowler, effective on any kind of wicket, with immense stamina. After taking 15 wickets for 67 for Beddington v. Surrey Club and Ground in 1910, the county invited him to play for them. He marked his first-class debut, for Surrey v Middlesex at Lord's in 1913, with one of the biggest hits ever seen at the ground, driving F. A. Tarrant over the sightscreen on to the asphalt between the two cantilever stands. Always a mighty hitter, his six into the river at Beddington is still considered the biggest hit ever made for the club.

After two matches for Surrey in 1913, he played again for the county, as an amateur, from 1920 to 1923, and appeared for the Gentlemen at the Oval in 1923. Altogether in first-class cricket he took 91 wickets at an average of 21.54 and scored 423 runs (average 13.21). It is with Beddington that he will be most closely associated. His tall figure-he stood six feet three-and genial personality, marked him as one of the outstanding characters of the club, of which he was a life member. He was full of amusing anecdotes and still watched the club's matches last summer. He captained the side both before and after the first world war and continued playing until 1946. He earned the title of " the patron saint of Beddington."
The Cricketer Spring Annual 1967