For many years cricket was Cyril Wilkinson’s main sporting interest. He was in the Blundell’s school XI before joining Surrey in 1909 and captaining them to the County Championship in 1914. He played his last game for the county in 1920 but continued as a club cricketer for many years. In August 1952, he played his final game at the age of 67 and after scoring 50 runs he took all 10 wickets for 27 for Sidmouth against the visiting Nondescripts XI. At hockey, Wilkinson played for Norwood, Hampstead, Surrey and the South but he did not win the first of his four England caps until 1920 when he was 35 years old. Cyril Wilkinson went on to serve the sport well as an administrator. An international umpire and a member of the International Hockey Rules Board for 27 years, he was also vice-president of the Hockey Association and in 1954 was awarded CBE for his services to the sport. By profession, Wilkinson was a civil servant and from 1936 to 1959 held the post of Registrar of Probate and Divorce.
Great Britain