Wilf comes from Winchester College where he was 1st XI Captain and an outstanding batsman, and where he achieved outstanding academic results.
Old boys of Winchester are known as ‘Old Wykehamists’ because the school was founded, in 1382, by Bishop William of Wykham. One of the current prominent Old Wykehamists is the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. English cricket captain, Douglas Jardine, was educated there as was the Indian captain, the Nawab of Pataudi.
18 year old Wilf has already represented Hampshire 2nd XI; he scored 112 in SUCC 2nds vs Fairfield recently and is currently the leading run scorer for the club.
Wilfred Edward James La FontaineWilfr (1877-1948), Wilf's great great grandfather and after whom he was named, was born in what was then known as Constantinople, died in the same place but by that stage it was called Istanbul. He was a contemporary of Winston Churchill at Harrow School where they were both in the same Boarding House. He played 1st XI cricket for Harrow and was awarded a silver cup for the best catch of the season. In the annual game against Eton in 1895, he batted at no8, didn’t bowl and scored 0 and 0.
A cousin of his was Percy La Fontaine (1888-1914).
In the 1906 intercelated Olympics in Athens, Percy played for Smyrna FC, one of the Greek teams, and won a silver medal.
Two others who are probably related:
Henri La Fontaine, a lawyer, won the Nobel prize for peace in 1913.
Frederick La Fontaine was an Australian Rules player who represented Fitzroy in over 100 games, 1898-1907.
Wilf appears to be in distinguished company.
James Rodgers