Robert Wilson (cricketer, born 1922)

Robert Greenwood Wilson (20 November 1922 – 6 March 1980) DFC AFC was an English first-class cricketer and Royal Air Force officer. Having served during World War II, Wilson's career with the Royal Air Force spanned over two decades, for which he was decorated three times. He played first-class cricket for the Combined Services cricket team, before becoming the secretary of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club from 1972–77.

Robert Wilson
Personal information
Full name
Robert Greenwood Wilson
Born20 December 1922
Arnside, Westmorland, England
Died6 March 1980(1980-03-06) (aged 57)
Swindon, Wiltshire, England
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm fast-medium
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 14
Runs scored 662
Batting average 28.78
100s/50s 1/3
Top score 100
Balls bowled 1,302
Wickets 24
Bowling average 27.29
5 wickets in innings 1
10 wickets in match –
Best bowling 5/41
Catches/stumpings 7/–
Source: Cricinfo, 1 March 2019

Early life and services cricket

Born at Arnside in Westmorland, Wilson was commissioned as a pilot officer with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in April 1942.[1] While serving with 614 Squadron in August 1945, Wilson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.[2] Following the war, he gained the rank of flying officer on a permanent basis in January 1947, by which point he was serving with the Royal Air Force.[3]

He played first-class cricket for the Combined Services cricket team, making his debut against Glamorgan at Pontypridd.[4] He made twelve first-class appearances for the Combined Services up to and including 1952,[4] scoring 633 runs at an average of 30.14.[5] He made one century, scoring exactly 100 against Hampshire in 1949.[6] A right-arm fast-medium bowler, Wilson took 24 wickets at a bowling average of 27.29, with best figures of 5 for 41.[7] Alongside his matches for the Combined Services, Wilson also appeared in one first-class match for the Free Foresters against Cambridge University in 1950 at Fenner's.[4]

Later military career and life

Wilson gained the rank of squadron leader in January 1953.[8] In the 1957 Birthday Honours, he was awarded the Air Force Cross (AFC).[9] He gained the rank of wing commander in January 1959.[10] In the 1963 Birthday Honours, Wilson was awarded a bar to his AFC.[11] Two years later in 1965, he was promoted to the rank of group captain.[12]

After retiring from the Royal Air Force, Wilson was the secretary of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club from 1972–77.[13][14] He died at Swindon in March 1980.[14]

References
  1. "No. 35654". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 July 1942. p. 3415.
  2. "No. 37233". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 August 1945. p. 4223.
  3. "No. 37870". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 January 1947. p. 600.
  4. "First-Class Matches played by Robert Wilson". CricketArchive. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  5. "First-class Batting and Fielding For Each Team by Robert Wilson". CricketArchive. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  6. "Combined Services v Hampshire, 1949". CricketArchive. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  7. "First-class Bowling For Each Team by Robert Wilson". CricketArchive. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  8. "No. 39739". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1952. p. 54.
  9. "No. 41089". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 June 1975. p. 3402.
  10. "No. 41586". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1958. p. 7950.
  11. "No. 43010". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 May 1963. p. 4825.
  12. "No. 43701". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 June 1965. p. 6297.
  13. "Trent Bridge - History". www.trentbridge.co.uk. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  14. "Wisden - Obituaries in 1980". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
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