Cyril Adams

Cyril Douglas Adams (18 September 1897 – 19 August 1988) was an English cricketer and Royal Air Force (RAF) officer. Serving first as a soldier in the First World War, Adams joined the newly formed RAF in 1918, serving in the RAF for over 25 years. His career as a first-class cricketer with the Royal Air Force cricket team ran from 1928–1932, prior to that he had represented his native Dorset at minor counties level.

Early life, WWI and inter-war years Adams was born to Blanche Annie Adams and Lionel Lincoln Adams at Parkstone, Dorset. He was educated at Parkstone Grammar School. Having served from 1915 in the British Army during World War I, Adams joined the newly formed Royal Air Force in July 1918 as a second lieutenant in the General Duties Branch.

In 1922, Adams began playing minor counties cricket for Dorset. He played for Dorset in the Minor Counties Championship on 21 occasions from 1922–1928. He made his debut in first-class cricket for the Royal Air Force against the Royal Navy at The Oval in 1928, making five first-class appearances for the Royal Air Force from 1928–1932. He totalled 173 runs and 11 wickets across his five match first-class career. whereupon he was placed in position as commanding officer of No. 38 Squadron in February 1939. He achieved the full rank of air commodore on 16 November 1949, retiring from the RAF the next day. Beyond playing cricket for the RAF, he also represented it in rugby union and athletics. He married three times during his life, with his first marriage producing two children.