Bruce Mullinger - he didn't make it back

Bruce Mullinger enjoyed an extensive playing career with the Parramatta District Cricket Club (then known as Central Cumberland), that was brought to a premature halt by his enlistment in the Royal Australian Air Force (R.A.A.F.) in World War II. He was a very popular and respected clubman and in his last two seasons established a reputation as a fine Second grade captain.

Described as a sound right-handed batsman who had a penchant for fierce, power-laden driving mixed with a dose of unorthodoxy. 

In an era when all his cricket was played on uncovered wickets that were often subjected to the vagaries of ‘mother nature’, which often made batting a difficult pastime, in a Parramatta career that extended from 1926/27 through to 1940/41 Bruce proved to be a productive and consistent run-maker compiling 5,085 runs @ 23.65 (all grades) – including one century and eighteen half-centuries. 

He kicked off his Central Cumberland journey as a teenager in the club’s Municipal and Shires team in 1926/27 and made an appearance in Third grade making a solid 32.

Over the next couple seasons continued to ‘find his feet’ in Premier Cricket rotating up and down between Third and Second grade.

Bruce was a member of the Parramatta Club’s first-ever Poidevin-Gray Shield team in 1928/29.

His breakthrough season came in 1929/30 when he compiled 578 runs @ 34.00 (3rds – 467, 2nds – 111). Striking form in Third grade piloted him to Second grade after productive efforts of 71* v. Manly, 67 v. Sydney University, 92 v. Randwick, and 93 v. North Sydney – he continued this form in the Seconds by making 111 runs @ 55.50 (H.S. – 56*).

The 1930/31 season witnessed another advancement in Bruce’s career. A rousing start in Second grade where he posted 228 runs in three completed innings at an average of 76.00 – starting with a forceful 78* v. St. George, 59 v. Gordon and a brilliant 84* v. Petersham, where he opened and ‘carried his bat’ through Parramatta’s innings of 121. These efforts saw him debut in First grade, becoming Parramatta District Cricket First grade Player Number: 213.

Between 1931/32 and his joining the armed forces in 1941 he played intermittently in First grade, but he became Second grade’s most reliable and consistent batsman. His most productive seasonal run outputs were – 379 runs @ 37.90 (H.S. – 75 v. Wests) 1934/35; 292 runs @ 22.46 (H.S. – a brilliant 150 v. Waverley at the SCG No.2 1935/36; 339 runs @ 48.43 (H.S. – 52 v. Marrickville, 50* v. Mosman, 74 v. Wests) 1936/37; 331 runs @ 23.64 (H.S. – 67 v. Marrickville) 1937/38; 308 runs @ 30.80 (H.S. – 89 v. Waverley, 50 v. Mosman) 1939/40; 355 runs @ 21.00 (H.S. – 62).

He was appointed Second grade captain in 1939/40/41 – an honour he took great pride in.

Parramatta (Cumberland) – Career Statistics

Unfortunately, like so many young World War II servicemen Bruce’s story had a sad ending, and he never made it home. The extracts from Cumberland Annual Reports succinctly tell his story:

• 1941/42 – “I was not surprised to receive a letter from Bruce Mullinger, with the R.A.A.F. in Canada, but the contents provided quite a shock. Unable to forget his 2nd grade friends, Bruce sent along a cheque for two guineas to purchase a bat, so that the 2nd grade side of which he was captain, could go on making some extra runs. We appreciate Bruce’s kindly thought and wish him a safe and speedy return.”
• 1942/43 – “Bruce Mullinger Missing!! It was with deep regret that I have to report Bruce Mullinger, a long time member of the club, has been reported ‘missing’ in Air Operations over Germany. In the last report we mentioned us having received a cheque from Canada from Bruce to purchase a bat for the 2nd grade team. We sincerely hope that he returns OK and is spared again to play for the old club.”
• 1943/44 – Last year it was my painful duty to record Bruce Mullinger was missing. Now I must add that Bruce has been officially reported as ‘presumed dead’ , and we must accept the creator’s decision in the best possible way.”

By Tom Wood – Parramatta District Cricket Club Historian