John Mee Fuller was a very good cricketer. He played for Cambridge University for four years (1855-1858), being captain in his first season. He also played for The Gentlemen (amateurs) versus The Players (professionals) at Lord's in 1856 and 1858.
When Mr. Fuller was inducted as Vicar or St. Mary's, Bexley in 1875, Thomas Dann welcomed him by saying he hoped he would score 41 a reference to the previous Vicar 41 years in the parish. Mr. Fuller replied that he had scored many a forty in his time and so was not too daunted by the challenge. (In fact he scored only ll years). Mr. Fuller was elected President of the cricket club as soon as he moved into the district, but there is no known record of his turning out for Bexley.
In the early years of Rev Fuller’s Presidency. Bexley were very strong, with John Shuter (Surrey & England) a regular player. In 1889. however. there was a serious rift in the Club. for reasons which are not now clear, and it nearly went out of
existence. Mr. Fuller helped to overcome the crisis by presiding over an emergency meeting of members which agreed new rules. elected new Officers, and made arrangements for resuming matches.
Rev Fuller was a noted scholar and author, being Professor of Ecclesiastical History at King's College, London, and some present-day local historians are surprised that he accepted the living in Bexley.
As a Vicar in Victorian England he was a person of influence and authority in village life. He and his wife lived in some style, with a governess to look after the children, a cook. a parlour maid, a housemaid. a gardener and a general domestic servant, He played a big part in raising funds for the building of St. John's. Parkhill Road and his name appears on the foundation stone of that church.