JOHN Turner is another reader with fond memories of cartoonist Alan Course.

He featured in one of his cartoons after playing for Oxford Boys’ cricket team against Middlesex Boys in 1951. Alan described him as ‘tail-wagger-in-chief’ – in his first appearance for the team, he was the last batsman to the crease and scored an impressive 30 runs.

Mr Turner, of Main Avenue, Sandford-on-Thames, writes: “We had had a marvellous day out on the coach to Middlesex, but unfortunately we had lost the game.

“Back on the coach, my mate came to say that Alan Course wanted me back in the pavilion.

“Alan told me to sit in a chair and within 60 seconds, he had finished my picture.

“He wouldn’t let me see it – he just said it would be in the Oxford Mail.

“As you can see, that was in 1951, but I didn’t get the cartoon until 1984 on my silver wedding anniversary when my niece and her husband got it framed for me. I hope John Robinson (who also featured in the cartoon) didn’t have to wait that long for a copy.”

“I called Alan Course ‘Quick Draw McGraw’ after that, as I had many pleasurable times seeing his cartoons.”

Two readers (Memory Lane, July 16) recalled their memories of Alan Course, whose work appeared regularly in the Oxford Mail in the 1940s and 1950s.

Terry Smith, of Norwich, featured in one of his Mail cartoons after competing in a cross-country race, while Neil Harris, of Weston-on-the-Green, received a personal image of an Oxford Cheetahs’ rider to mark his interest in the sport.

Any more memories of Alan Course to share with readers? Do write and let me know.