Tom Campbell      

Wisden obituary

Thomas Campbell, the well-known South African cricketer, was killed in the Natal railway accident which occurred to the up-mail train from Durban at Milndale early on the morning of October 5th. He was born in Natal on February 9, 1882, and was thus over 42 years at the time of his death. As a batsman he was of small account, although in a Test match against England at Durban in 1909-10 he played an innings of 48, but as a wicket-keeper he gained much note. He made his first appearance for the Transvaal in Currie Cup matches in 1906-7, and four seasons later toured Australia as a member of the South African Team. With Percy Sherwell's services at command, however, he took part in none of the Test matches. In 1909-10, when South Africa won the rubber at England's expense, he took part in four games, and in 1912 he visited England. Whilst in this country rheumatism in the hands prevented him from showing his best form, and the only time he took part in one of the Triangular Tournament matches was when he played against England at Lord's. Remembering the circumstances of his death, it is interesting to recall that on December 16, 1916, he fell out of the Cape mail train from Johannesburg. He was picked up in an unconscious condition by the driver of a goods train and was found to be suffering from concussion of the brain and other head injuries. He was removed to Krugersdorp Hospital, and for some time it was doubtful if he would recover.

Wisden Cricketers' Almanack