Cyril Alliston

Cyril George Prat Alliston (1 November 1891 – 21 July 1973) was an English businessman and cricketer who played in one first-class cricket match for Kent County Cricket Club in 1922. Alliston worked in the cotton printing business and served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during World War I.

Early life Alliston was born at West Kensington in London in 1891, the son of Paul and Augusta Alliston. His paternal grandfather, Sir Frederick Alliston, had established the family firm, Alliston and Co, in London in 1857. The company was in the cotton printing business, and Alliston's father was active in the business, becoming the company chairman by 1914. The family lived in Beckenham and Alliston was educated at Repton School where he played cricket and football in the school teams, and was a member of the school's Officer Training Corps.

Military service After leaving school, Alliston moved to Canada where he worked as a book-keeper. Following the start of World War I, he enlisted in the Edmonton Regiment of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in January 1915 at Grouard, Alberta. He transferred with the 49th battalion to Europe and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in August whilst at Shorncliffe Army Camp in Kent.

Towards the end of the 1920s Alliston moved to Southport where he became the company's representative in the key cotton industrial area of north west England. He played cricket for Southport and Birkdale, captaining them in 1931 and 1944–1945 and making over 200 appearances. He was one of the club's vice-presidents.