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Players Index Page Last Updated
17 March 2024
 
 

Robert King

Oxford University AFC & Upton Park FC

1 appearance, 0 goals

P 1 W 1 D 0 L 0 F 13: A 0
100% successful

1882

captain: none
minutes played:
90

Timeline

  Reverend Canon Robert Stuart King BA, MA
Birth Friday, 4 April 1862 at The Rectory [below left] in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex
  registered unnamed in Rochford April-June 1862
"Canon King was born on April 4, 1862, in the building which is now the Leigh Library—then it was the Rectory." - Friday, 17 June 1938, The Essex Chronicle.
Baptism 1 May 1862 in Leigh-on-Sea
The Rectory in Leigh-on-Sea, now the Library, birthplace of King

According to the 1871 census, Robert Stuart is the youngest of six children (three daughters and three sons) to Walker and Australian-born Juliana (née Stuart). They live in Leigh Rectory with three servants. His father is the clergyman.

According to the 1881 census, Robt is one of three pupils at Spelsbury Vicarage in Chipping Norton, under the guidance of the Reverend Barker and his family.

According to the 1891 census, Robert S. is now the youngest of four children living back with their parents at Leigh Rectory. Robert himself, the assistant Curator to his father, the Rector. They have two servants.

"KING.—July 20, at the Rectory, Leigh, in this County, the Rev. Canon King, eldest son of the late Venerable Walker King, Archdeacon of Rochester, aged 64. For 32 years Rector of Leigh." - Saturday, 30 July 1892, Essex Standard

(His mother died on 25 December 1896)
According to the 1901 census, Robert is now also a clergyman, head of the household, living with his older sister and two nephews, as well as two servants. They live at Leigh Rectory.

Marriage to Ruby Elberta Kate Irene Dando, on Tuesday, 12 August 1902, at St. Clement's Church, Leigh.
  registered in Rochford July-September 1902
"On Tuesday, at St. Clement's Church, Leigh, a wedding, which has been looked forward to with some interest in this district, was solemnised; the contracting parties being the Rev. R. Stuart King, Rector of Leigh, and Miss Ruby Dando, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elbert Dando, of Baltimore, U.S.A., now residing at Leigh....An hour before the ceremony was commenced there were people in the Church, and at the appointed time, the old building had within its walls quite as many as it would hold at high pressure, while outside the Police and those who had charge of the arrangements are to be congratulated on the precaution which had been taken of a roped walk, etc. The Bishop of Lincoln, uncle of the bridegroom, was for the half hour before two o'clock walking in and about the Church, recognizing familiar faces and being introduced to others whose looks proclaimed them born of Leigh. In the part of the Church which was reserved for wedding guests were seated many members of both families and friends...The Rector was early in the Church, and when punctually at two o'clock, the beautiful bride came through the porch, a whisper of admiration rose on every side, while those who were so well placed as to be able to keep her in sight as she moved up the aisle, were the envy of hundreds who caught between moving heads only a passing glance. At the altar rails stood the venerable Bishop, with the Rev. T. O. Reay on one side, and, on the other, the Rev. Augustus B. Bennett, the officiating clergymen. Behind them the choir stood outlined against the flowers which decked the altar, and in front, the bridal party stood. Low and clear the responses came from both bride and groom, in answer to the firm accounts of the Bishop. An unmistakable hush was felt, however, when the Rector repeated after his uncle the impressive words of acceptance 'for better, for worse' of the bride.
"Following the placing of the ring upon the bride's finger, the Bishop gave a short exhortation...The bride looked charming in a dress of crepe de chine, over white silk, trimmed with passementerie and orange blossoms, with veil of Honiton lace. She was attended by four bridesmaids, daintily attired in dresses of white pin's point muslin trimmed with chiffon and black velvet baby ribbon, and white crinoline hats. They carried bouquets of carnations, and wore quarter moon brooches of sapphires and pearls, the gifts of the bridegroom. Two pages with black velvet Court suits, wearing watch chains, the gifts of the bridegroom, were also in attendance... Shortly afterwards the bride and bridegroom left for town, en route to Switzerland."
- Thursday, 14 August 1902, Southend Standard and Essex Weekly Advertiser
Children Robert and Ruby King had five children together. Noel Leigh (b.23 December 1903), Beryl (b.27 December 1906), Robert Jasper (b.10 May 1909) and Denys Elbert (b.September 1910), Anthony (b.4 April 1922) all in Leigh-on-Sea.
 

According to the 1911 census, Robert Stuart is now married to Ruby, with four children. Robert, now a Priest, remains at Leigh Rectory, with five servants. He signed the census as R. Stuart King. Adopting the double-barreled surname, as opposed to being known by his middle name.

 

According to the 1921 census, Robert Stuart is still married to Ruby, with two boarders and three servants, they remain at Leigh Rectory.
On 12 August 1927, The Reverend Robert Stuart King is executor of the will upon the death of Reverend Henry Stuart King on 2 April 1927.

"CANON KING'S JUBILEE—PRESENTATION AT LEIGH
"The jubilee of the ordination to the priesthood Canon Robert Stuart King, rector of Leigh, is being appropriately observed this week. On Sunday, there was a solemn Eucharist of thanksgiving, at which the preacher was Canon T. G. Steele. The Mayor and Mayoress of Southend, Ald. and Mrs. H. A. Dowsett, and the Town Clerk were among the congregation. In the evening, the Archdeacon of Southend, the Ven. E. N. Gowing, occupied the pulpit. Last evening, at St. Clement's Hall, the Bishop of Chelmsford, on behalf of parishioners of Leigh and other friends of the Canon from a wide area, made a presentation to him.
"The gathering was presided over by Archdeacon Gowing. In making the presentation of a cheque to Canon King, the Bishop spoke of the invaluable services he had rendered to Leigh, which he loved, and whose people loved him.—Other speakers added their tributes to the work of the Canon.
"In reply, Canon King thanked all the kind friends who had donated to the cheque, which he intended to keep for a 'rainy day' which the church might experience in the future. He also thanked from the bottom of his heart the splendid support he had always received on all hands at Leigh, and which had been his mainstay." -
Friday, 17 June 1938, The Essex Chronicle.
  According to the 1939 register, Robert S., still a clerk in holy orders, is still married to Ruby. They both live at The Rectory in Broadway West in Southend-on-Sea.
  "ALLEGED FRAUD ON A CANON
"At Southend on Saturday, Claude Walter Dawson, 19, of Seaview Road, Southend, was charged with obtaining, with intent to defraud, £3 from Canon Robert Stuart King, Leigh Rectory, Leigh, by virtue of a forged cheque; also with incurring a debt of £1/11/2 with Sam Isaac, Ltd., High Street, Southend, by fraud other than false pretenses.
"Prosecuting, Mr. R. A. Shorter said that on April 28 defendant called on Canon King with another man, and represented that he was a former member of the congregation, and needed to money to go to Newcastle. On April 31 defendant, with another man, went to Sam Isaac's restaurant and had fish and chips. Defendant, with others, was served with a bottle of sherry and five glasses, and the defendant ordered a bottle of champagne. The cost of the meal was £1/11/2, and defendant said he could not pay.
"The Chairman said the Bench understood that defendant had been to several recruiting offices, but had not been able to join the Army because of his age and other matters. He would be remanded on bail for three weeks." -
Friday, 13 September 1939, Chelmsford Chronicle.
Death Saturday, 4 March 1950 at Leigh Rectory in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.
aged 87 years 334 days registered in Southend-on-Sea January-March 1950
Funeral at St Clement's Anglican Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.
Probate "KING the reverend canon Robert Stuart of The Rectory Leigh-on-Sea Essex died 4 March 1950 Probate Ipswich 25 March to Ruby Elberta Victoria Kate Irene King widow.
Effects £1001 6s. 3d." [2019 equivalent: £34,559].
  Ruby King died in Bedford at the end of 1968.

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] &

Playing Career

Club(s) Educated and played at Felsted School between 1878 and 1880, making captain in his final year.  Went onto Oxford University and played football between 1882 and 1885, again, making captain in his final year. Played with Upton Park FC and onto Grimsby Town FC in 1887; King also founded the local football side in Leigh, The Leigh Rectory Yard FC;
"From his boyhood days until he was fifty the Canon played football. While at Felsted he captained the school team, and later he played for Oxford University, as well as for Upton Park, then the premier London club. He was 'capped' for his country against Ireland in 1882; played for the South against the North on several occasions; and also represented Essex for a long period." - Friday, 17 June 1938, The Essex Chronicle.
Club honours None
Individual honours Essex FA.
Distinctions His son, Robert Jasper Stuart King, played first-class cricket for Essex in 1928;
Height/Weight not known

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990].

England Career

Player number One of seven who became the ninetieth players (93) to appear for England.
Position(s) Half-back
Only match No. 14, 18 February 1882, Ireland 0 England 13, a friendly match at Knock Ground, Bloomfield, Belfast, aged 19 years 320 days.
Individual honours The South (one appearance January 1882);

Beyond England

Studying in Spelsbury Vicarage, Chipping Norton in 1881. Ordained on Trinity Sunday, 27 May 1888 at Lincoln Cathedral and appointed Curate at St James Church, Grimsby, and was appointed assistant Curate of St Clement's in Leigh-on-Sea, appointed Rector a year later, a position held for 58 years, 1892-1950. Founded St Margaret's Church in Leigh in 1919. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.150/1./FindMyPast.com and the Excellent Hibbit.org.uk/familytree
"He was first curate of Leigh under his father, Canon Walker King and since his father's death in 1892, he has been the rector. He became a Canon in 1919 when he was appointed to the stall of Mellitus, archbishop, on the resignation of Canon Philpott. Dr Edward King, Bishop of Lincoln, was Canon King's uncle; and the Lady Chapel in St. Clement's Church is a memorial to him. Since 1921 Canon King has been a proctor representing the clergy of the Chelmsford Diocese in the Lower House of Convocation of Canterbury." - Friday, 17 June 1938, The Essex Chronicle.
"Canon Robert Stuart King, rector of Leigh-on-Sea, is, it appears, a sergeant in the Home Guard. This news puzzled me until it was learned that clergymen may join the Home Guard, but may not bear arms. Canon Stuart King's non-commissioned rank in the Home Guard does his patriotism credit; but, really, of what use is an unarmed man? The Canon has been half a century at Leigh-on-Sea. I should venture the guess, therefore, that his chief role is that of a good example." - Friday, 19 December  1941, The Essex Chronicle.


The Numbers
parties Appearances minutes captain
1 1 90 0 none
The minutes here given can only ever be a guideline and cannot therefore be accurate, only an approximation.
P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
1 1 0 0 13 0 +13 0 1 13 0 100 +1
His only match was a friendly match played at an away venue

Match History 

 Clubs: Oxford University A.F.C. & Upton Park F.C. - one full appearance (90 min) F.A. Committee - one full appearance (90 min)x

Age 19 trial  
one appearance - The South vs. The North, 28 January 1882;

apps match match details comp res rundown pos

1 14 18 February 1882 - Ireland 0 England 13
Knock Ground, Belfast
Fr AW   hb
   

one of seven who became the ninetieth (93) players to appear for England
the ninth player from Oxford University AFC to represent England
the second player from Upton Park FC to represent England

Age 20 trial  
withdrew - The North vs. The South, January 1883.

   

 
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