Perhaps they needed someone at short notice to make up the numbers.

... Mr. W. M. Gattie, the well-known chess expert of the St. George's Chess Club. ... >

Living Age v217 (1898) p318-325

* * * * *

I believe Mr. Gattie had a literary bent, having published an article entitled "What English People Read".

He also made this observation:

<Walter Montague Gattie lamented the baneful effect of ephemeral literature and popular sport, and urged pragmatism: <"[W]e have extended the literary franchise, and those who would succeed must learn to pander to the new electorate.>

<Robert Louis Stevenson: Writer of Boundaries>

https://books.google.com/books?id=1...

A good portrait of Gattie can be found here:

http://www.chessarch.com/archive/00...

It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Mr. W. M. Gattie, of London, who died at Bournemouth on November 17th, in his fifty-second year. Mr. Gattie was a graduate of Oxford, and represented his University no less than five times in the annual matches with Cambridge. The last occasion was in 1881, when he headed the Oxford team and defeated Mr. J. F. Sugden. During the eighties Mr. Gattie was recognised as one of the strongest of Metropolitan amateur players, and he rendered excellent service in matches for the St. George's Chess Club, of which he was a leading member, contem porary with the late Rev. W. W. Wayte, Rev. A. B. Skipworth, and Mr. J. I. Munchin. Mr. Gattie was a close student of the theory of chess, and possessed a wide knowledge of the openings, which enabled him to render valuable help in assisting to prepare for publication the Book of the London International Tournament of 1883. During recent years indifferent health prevented his indulging in hard play, but he competed in the recent amateur tournament at Ostend.>

http://www.edochess.ca/players/p813...

"Kent & Sussex Courier", Friday 22nd November 1907, p.7.

<The death is announced of the distinguished amateur Mr. Walter Montagu Gattie at Bournemouth on the 17th inst. Mr. Gattie was born in London on July 21, 1854, and was educated at Brighton College and Christ Church, Oxford, where he obtained three exhibitions. He graduated in high mathematical honours and afterwards entered the Civil Service by competition.

From Somerset House, he was transferred to the Post Office, where he occupied a confidential post in the secretary's department, and subsequently, he became post-office inspector of the South Eastern District.

Although Mr. Gattie's chess career dates back from his undergraduate days, it is remarkable that he should have attained a leading position in the amateur chess world of the time amongst men like Thorold, Wayte, Owen, Skipworth and Ranken, as his spare time was also devoted to literature and music. He not only won the amateur championship of the British Chess Association but also the Lowenthal cup at the St. George's Chess Club, of which institution he was a prominent member, as well as of the British Chess Club. He won games from Burn, Pollock, Gunsberg, and from the leading amateurs of the time, and in the London (Vizayanagaram) (1883), only just missing a prize, he distinguished himself by beating the first prize winner, Herr. v. Bardeleben (the only game he lost), and Gunsberg. Re-entering lately the chess arena by joining the Metropolitan Chess Club, he also took part in the Masters' Tournament at Ostend, 1906. The following game between the late Mr. Gattie and Bardeleben alluded to above:>

W M Gattie vs Von Bardeleben, 1883