John Evans

Footnote
Altham wrote of him: "A somewhat uncertain starter with the bat, his method once he got going, was both classical and impressive". He achieved a wider fame for escaping from a Prisoner of War camp in the First World War. After that he wrote The Escaping Club, a classic book about his breakout.

Wisden obituary Alfred John Evans, who died in London on September 18, aged 71, was a fine all-round sportsman. Educated at Winchester, where his father, A. H. Evans, a former Oxford cricket Blue and captain, was a master, he won both the schools racquets and the golf in 1905 and the two succeeding years, and played at Lord's for three years. Going up to Oxford he won his cricket Blue as a Freshman in 1909, scoring 79 and 46. He also played against Cambridge in the three following seasons, doing good work as a hard-driving batsman and medium-paced bowler. He led the side in 1911. In 1910 he represented his University at racquets and in 1909 and 1910 at golf. He played cricket for Hampshire in 1911 and, after serving with distinction in the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War, when he earned fame for his escapes from enemy prison-camps, he assisted Kent and M.C.C. In 1921, on the strength of an innings of 69 not out for M.C.C. against the Australians, he was chosen for England in the Test match at Lord's, but was not a success.
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack