Christopher Oldfield

Christopher Campbell Oldfield JP (30 October 1838 – 14 May 1916) was an English first-class cricketer and British Army officer.

Oldfield was born at Patna in British India in October 1838, to Edith Frances Sheridan Guinness and her husband, William Swann Oldfield. He studied in England at Exeter College, Oxford. Shortly after he enlisted in the British Army with the 10th Foot Regiment as an Ensign in December 1859. He was promoted to Lieutenant in May 1863.

He made his debut in first-class cricket in 1864 for the Gentlemen of Kent against the Gentlemen of the Marylebone Cricket Club at Canterbury. He made two further first-class appearances in 1865, for the Gentlemen of England versus the Gentlemen of Middlesex at Islington, and for the Gentlemen of the Marylebone Cricket Club versus the Gentlemen of Kent at Canterbury. From 1866, he was posted to Ireland, where he played cricket informally, including minor matches for Ireland from 1866–1871. By 1867, he was serving with the 85th Foot Regiment, gaining the rank of Captain in August 1867. He married Edith Frances Sheridan Guinness, of the Guinness family, in December 1872. By 1873, Oldfield was serving in the 38th Foot, retiring on half-pay in November of that year. Following his retirement, he joined the reserve militia under the Royal Berkshire Regiment.

It was in 1873, following an eight year gap, that Oldfield made his fourth and final appearance in first-class cricket when he played for the Gentlemen of Marylebone Cricket Club against Kent at Canterbury. In May the following year, he resigned his commission from the reserve militia. Beyond his military service and playing cricket, Oldfield was a Justice of the Peace. He was also in the service of the East India Company. He died at Westminster in May 1916, his wife, with whom he had three children, having predeceased him sixteen years prior.