William Henry Napper MC (5 November 1880 – August 1967) was an Irish first-class cricketer and British Army officer.
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | William Henry Napper | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 5 November 1880 County Wexford, Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | August 1967 (aged 86) Ganges Harbour, British Columbia, Canada | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Slow left-arm orthodox | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1908–1909 | Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 26 October 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born at County Wexford, Napper received his education in England at Shrewsbury School, before returning to Ireland in 1903 to study at Trinity College Dublin.[1] While studying there, he played club cricket for Dublin University Cricket Club.[1] Napper made his debut in first-class cricket for Ireland against the touring Gentlemen of Philadelphia at Dublin in 1908.[2] He played a further first-class match for Ireland in 1908 against Yorkshire at Dublin, and made one appearance in 1909 against Scotland at Perth.[2] Napper toured North America with the Gentlemen of Ireland on their 1909 tour, playing minor matches against Ottawa, Ontario, All New York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia Colts.[1][3] He played two first-class matches for the Gentlemen of Ireland against the Gentlemen of Philadelphia at Haverford and Philadelphia.[2] He took seven wickets across his five first-class matches with his slow left-arm orthodox, at a bowling average of 31.85 and best innings figures of 4/72.[4]
Napper did not return from the tour, instead settling in Canada.[1] He returned to the United Kingdom to fight in World War I.[1] He enlisted with the Royal Army Service Corps in October 1914, with the rank of Second Lieutenant.[5] He was promoted to the rank of Temporary Captain in December 1914.[6] By December 1916, he held the rank of Temporary Major.[7] He was awarded the Military Cross for bravery during the war.[1] Napper relinquished his commission in May 1920,[8] presumably returning to Canada. During peacetime he worked as an engineer.[1] He died at Ganges Harbour in British Columbia in August 1967.[1]