Gilbert Hole

Gilbert Lindsay Douglas Hole (28 June 1882 — 10 November 1967) was a Scottish first-class cricketer, cricket administrator, and British Army officer.

The son of the artist William Hole, he was born at Edinburgh in June 1882.[1] He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, before matriculating to study law at the University of Edinburgh.[2] He initially played his club cricket for Edinburgh Academical Cricket Club,[3] Hole made his debut for Scotland in first-class cricket against Ireland at Dublin, with him making a further appearance before the First World War against the same opposition at Dublin in 1912.[4]

In 1906, he married Grace Chalmers, the eldest daughter of a Liverpool merchant. This connection to the city saw him serve in the war with the Liverpool Scottish, which formed part of the King's Regiment (Liverpool).[1] He initially served as a private from 1916, before being commissioned as a second lieutenant in February 1917.[5] He saw action on the Western Front at the Third Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Cambrai, in addition to engagements at Festubert and La Bassée.[1] He was later promoted to lieutenant in July 1918.[6]

Following the war, Hole resumed playing first-class cricket for Scotland, making an additional eight appearances until 1926, six of which came in the annual match against Ireland.[4] Playing as an all-rounder in the Scottish side, he scored 260 runs in his ten first-class matches at an average of 17.33, with a highest score of 37.[7] As a right-arm medium pace bowler, he took 27 wickets at a bowling average of 16.66;[8] he took two five wicket hauls, with best figures of 5 for 20 against Ireland in 1912.[9] In his professional capacity as a solicitor, Hole was a member of the Society of Writers to Her Majesty's Signet.[2] Hole later served as the president of the Scottish Cricket Union in 1937.[10] He died at Edinburgh in November 1967.