John Udal (judge) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable John Symonds Udal
The Hon. J. S. Udal in 1897
8th Attorney General of Fiji
In office 1889–1899
Monarch	Victoria
Governor	Sir John Thurston Sir George T. M. O'Brien
Preceded by	Sir Henry Spencer Berkeley
Succeeded by	Sir Henry Pollock
- Chief Justice of the Leeward Islands
In office 1900–1911
Monarch	Victoria
Governor	Francis Fleming Sir Henry Jackson
Personal details
Born	10 November 1848 West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England
Died	13 March 1925(1925-03-13) (aged 76) St John's Wood, London, England
Resting place	Symondsbury, Dorset, England
Spouses	Eva Mary Adelina Routh m. 8 August 1878
Children	3 daughters, 2 sons
Alma mater	Queen's College, Oxford
Profession	Lawyer, Cricketer, Author

John Symonds Udal (born November 10, 1848, in West Bromwich, England – died March 13, 1925, in London) was a remarkable person. He was an English-born cricketer, a historian interested in old things (an antiquarian), an author, a lawyer, and a judge. He even played cricket for the Fiji national cricket team. John Udal also held important government jobs in Fiji for many years, serving as the top lawyer, called the Attorney General, from 1889 to 1899. Later, he became the Chief Justice of the Leeward Islands, a very important judge, from 1900 to 1911.

Early Life and Education

John Udal first went to Bromsgrove School. There, he became a very good cricketer. After school, he studied to become a barrister (a type of lawyer) at Queen's College, Oxford.

He finished his law studies in London in November 1875. He then worked as a lawyer in England. In September 1889, he moved to Fiji to become the Attorney General. He also became the Admiralty Advocate for Fiji, dealing with sea-related legal matters.

Legal Career

John Udal was the Attorney General of Fiji from 1889 to 1899. This meant he was the main legal advisor to the government in Fiji. After that, he became the Chief Justice of the Leeward Islands from 1900 to 1911. In this role, he was the most senior judge in those islands.

While he was Chief Justice, John Udal was involved in a court case. He took legal action against a newspaper editor named James Townsland Allen. The editor had written things that John Udal felt were unfair and damaging to his reputation as a judge. A jury found the editor guilty, and he was sentenced to prison.

Interests and Hobbies

John Udal had many hobbies. He was very interested in old things, especially the history and traditions of Dorset, a county in England. He studied local stories, customs, and traditions.

Because of his deep interest, he became a member of the Council of the Folklore Society in 1889. In 1901, he also became a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. He wrote a book called Dorsetshire Folklore in 1922, sharing all his research.

Sporting Career

John Udal was a right-handed batsman and bowler in cricket. He played for several teams, including Dorset, Somerset, and the Free Foresters. His first big match, known as a first-class debut, was for the MCC against Sussex in July 1871.

In 1873, a famous cricketer named WG Grace invited him to play cricket in Australia. However, John Udal could not go. He played one more first-class match for the MCC in June 1875.

In 1895, while he was the Attorney General of Fiji, he became the captain of the Fiji national cricket team. He led the team on a tour to New Zealand. During this tour, he played six more first-class matches. He scored his only first-class half-century (50 runs) against the Wellington team. John Udal worked hard to help cricket grow in Fiji. He did the same when he was the Chief Justice of the Leeward Islands. Later, he moved back to England.

Family Life

John Udal was the second son in his family. He was one of nine children born to William Udal and Mary-Anne Symonds. His father, William, was from Netherbury, and his mother, Mary-Anne, was from Broadwindsor. His parents later moved to Edgbaston, where his father became a successful businessman.

On August 8, 1878, John Udal married Eva Mary Adelina Routh. They had five children: two sons named Arthur Uvedale and Robin Nicholas, and three daughters named Evelyn Routh, Eva Beatrice, and Ida Vita Isabel.

John Udal's family had a strong connection to cricket. His son, Robin, played first-class cricket for Oxford University and the MCC. His grandson, Geoffrey, played for Middlesex and Leicestershire. Even his great-great-grandson, Shaun, played Test cricket for the England.

John Udal passed away suddenly in London, England, on March 13, 1925. He was buried in the churchyard of his hometown, Symondsbury, in Dorset county.