In 1868 -- the year, parenthetically, in which I was married -- was founded the earliest of the cross-country clubs, the Thames Hare and Hounds, and with the fine sportsmen who composed it I enjoyed some delightful runs. Among those I particularly well remember were P. H. Stenning, W. M. Chinnery, and C. H. Mason, the last-named of whom was solicitor to the London and North-Western Railway Company and became steeplechase champion. [...] Another was Walter Rye, a notable athlete who dabbled in journalism. He was always a great stickler for form, and I remember him once remarking, when he and I were standing opposite the Mansion House and watching some men running across the road, "Just look at those fellows all running on their heels instead of on their toes!" He was in great demand as a judge of walking, and deservedly so.
Then there was Sydenham Dixon...and authority on billiards...F. T. Elborough, probably one of the finest runners of the century...W. Slade, a mile champion...Jack Shearman...Montague Shearman. [p. 28]
About this period, too, I used to enjoy an occasional run with the Peckham Rye Harriers. It is half a century since I last set eyes on the country we used to traverse, and I imagine I should scarcley recognize it if I were to see it now, for we used to run by way of Goose Green right away across open fields to the Crystal Palace!" [p. 29]
It was in 1870 that the South London Harriers was established and absorbed the Peckham Rye Harriers, to which I referred a little way back, and in the same year, I think, was formed the Spartan Harriers. These, together with the Blackheath Harriers and the Thames Hare and Hounds, were responsible for the cross-country championships. Like the Thames Hare and Hounds the South London could boast many members who not only made great names for themselves in the world of athletics but were eminently successful also in the more important affairs of life. Among those I chiefly remember was "Jimmy" Gibb...and...J. E. Dixon. [p. 31]
In 1875, some years after my marriage, I migrated to Finchley (Church End), which in those days was a mere country village with no street lamps and no pavements... [P\p. 37]
One of Finchley's chief drawbacks in the days when I first went to live there was its almost total lack of organized sports of any sort or description, and this defect I speedily set out to rectify, the first step being to start an Association football club and revive the cricket club. [p. 37]
Another venture I helped materially set on foot was the Finchley Hare and Hounds, whose meets I attended so regularly that from then onwards, although I became a member of several other cross-country associations, I had little opportunity to run much with any of them. Cross-country running in the provinces in those days, by the way, was a very different thing to what it is now; for the common practice was to run from one point to another situated some distance away, and it was not until 1878, when the Birchfield Harriers adopted the London system of finishing at the starting point, that this was altered. [p. 38]
In 1881 I became a member of the Blackheath Harriers, though, as already intimated, I had but few opportunities of ever running with them. [...] One of its most ardent supporters was Jack Reay, as regards both its racing and social side. [P.55}
...In 1883...I joined the South London Harriers, of which I am a lifelong member, as also of the Blackheath Harriers. [p. 70]
In 1887 Tom Crafter retired as secretary of the Blackheath Harriers and was succeeded by H. J. Barclay. [p.105]
Another memory of 1921 I particularly cherish is that of officiating as judge at the South London Harriers' Sports. [p. 268]