Francis Browning facts for kids

Francis Henry Browning (born June 23, 1868 – died April 26, 1916) was an Irish cricket player. He was also the President of the Irish Rugby Football Union. Browning was a right-handed batsman and a wicket-keeper, which means he caught balls behind the stumps.

Early Life and Cricket Career

Francis Browning was born in Dublin, Ireland. He started playing for the Ireland national team in August 1888. His first game was against the Scotland team.

He played for Ireland 38 times in total. His last game was in September 1909 against a team from Philadelphia. Eleven of his games for Ireland were considered first-class matches. These are the highest standard of cricket games.

Life Outside Cricket

Beyond the cricket field, Francis Browning had another important job. He worked as a barrister, which is a type of lawyer who argues cases in court.

In 1912, he became the president of the Irish Rugby Football Union. This is the main organization for rugby in Ireland. Browning also helped create and lead a group called the Irish Rugby Football Union Volunteer Corps. This was a group of volunteers, similar to a local defense force. He was also second-in-command of another similar group, the Irish Association of Volunteer Training Corps.

Death During the Easter Rising

Francis Browning was killed during the Easter Rising in 1916. The Easter Rising was a rebellion in Ireland against British rule. At the time, Browning was serving with the part-time Volunteer Training Corps. This group was like a "Home Guard" that helped protect the country.

On Easter Monday, his VTC unit was on a training exercise in the Dublin mountains. They heard news that the Rising had started in the city. As they returned, their path led them across the narrow Mount Street Bridge. Here, the VTC men, who were in civilian clothes but carried rifles, came under fire. They were shot at by Irish Volunteers from a building at 25 Northumberland Road.

Seven of the VTC members were injured. Four of them, including Browning, died from their wounds. Francis Browning was taken to Beggars Bush Barracks and then to Baggot Street Hospital. He died two days later, at 47 years old. He was the only first-class cricketer to die in the Easter Rising.

The Irish Rugby Football Union placed an inscription on his gravestone in Dublin's Deans Grange Cemetery. It says, "He will live in the memory of all as an honourable comrade and distinguished sportsman."

See also

• List of Irish cricket and rugby union players