In 1913/14 Sandman was joined on the tour of Australia by club-mate Hickmott, an outstanding batsman and occasional bowler. Tragically, Lieutenant Rupert Hickmott was killed in action during World War I.

Some enterprise was shown by the third grade B team in hiring a motor lorry to take them to an away game at Kaiapoi - and having the account sent to the club for payment. A less than amused committee decided to collect the money from the players.

There was to be little humour in club annual reports during the war years. Typical was the resolution expressing regret that secretary V M Edgar had resigned to join the Expeditionary Forces. Edgar was later wounded and invalided home.

The club sent Christmas boxes to its members serving overseas. The 1918/19 annual report listed Geo. M Haigh, R G Hickmott, and G J Harrison as having been killed in action, and R Leeming having died of sickness. Of 20 other members, five had been wounded. R A Parton was awarded the Military Medal.

On a happier note, Tom Reese became the club's first life member in 1918. By then he had made 114 appearances for St Albans. He was later to become president of the Canterbury Cricket Association.