joining the armed forces, disrupting the end of the cricket season. Although Somerset fared poorly under his charge, David Foot claims that Poyntz received "more praise than criticism" for his captaincy. Wartime career and later life In September 1914, Poyntz was appointed to the 3rd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. He received promotion to Lieutenant, and then Captain in 1915, before being transferred to the 2nd Battalion in December of that year, serving in the Somme under the command of his brother, Major Hugh Stainton Poyntz. He was shortly thereafter assigned command of "B" Company. He continued to command B Company during the Battle of the Somme. Poyntz commanded the 2nd Battalion for a while in 1917 during his brother's leave, but spent most of the remainder of the war in reserve with the 3rd Battalion. He completed his military service as a Major. Poyntz only played three further first-class cricket matches after the war. He made his highest total during a match for the Army against Cambridge University, at Fenner's. Batting at number eight, he struck 15 fours and 3 sixes to reach 114 runs in the second innings. The Army lost the match by 10 wickets. Later in the season, he his final appearances for Somerset, playing against Sussex and Hampshire under the captaincy of Daniell, averaging 10.00 from three innings. In all, Poyntz scored 3,127 runs during his first-class career at an average of 17.08. He died on 26 December 1934 in Minehead, Somerset. Style and technique Although not highly thought of as a batsman, Poyntz was known for being able to hit the ball hard. A right-handed batsman, he is described as lacking "technique and consistency" by David Foot, but obituaries suggest that his shortage of talent was offset by application of effort. Wisden declared him "an excellent fielder", but Foot is more reserved, describing him as a "passable slip fielder". Sammy Woods was Poyntz's godfather, while Poyntz in turn acted as a godfather to John Daniell's son Nigel. David Foot portrays an element of caricature about Poyntz, describing him as, "a tall man who slammed his hair back with a distinctive parting in the middle." He also related a story from a Somerset teammate in which Poyntz claimed that he could trace him family all the way back to William the Conqueror, and had a massive coat of arms in his Bristol flat. References 1883 births 1934