The eldest son of Fred Tate, the former Sussex and England player, this great-hearted all-rounder was brought up in Northampton, and in his earlier days was more keen on football. He played in goal for his school team.
it was while serving his apprentice ship to a firm of engineers at Beckton, Essex, that he started his cricket career, and he was only 15 when he played his first trial for Sussex. In 1912, at the age of 17, he was given his baptism in the county game at Northampton.
From that day he improved steadily. In June, 1924, he made his jnitial appearance in. Tests cricket, against South Africa. The following A Request To The Club Secretaries Lists of teams for announcement ín these columns should reach this office not later than Thursday evening of each week, for publication on the following morning. It is preferable, on account of clarity, that the lists should be typed not penned. he visited Australia for the time, and in the five Tests set up a record, with 38 wickets.
From that season until June, 1929, when injury prevented him playing against South Africa, he did not miss one of the Tests contested by England, In 1930 he took his place against the Australians again, and the following winter visited South Africa, A nervous breakdown held up his selection for Jardine's team to tour Australia) but he recovered in time to follow ihe party. He was not called upon, however, for the Tests,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.