Cyril Hamilton

Major Cyril Penn Hamilton (12 August 1909 – 10 February 1941) was an Australian born English soldier and sportsman. He played racquets, squash, hockey and first-class cricket and rose to the rank of Major in the Royal Artillery. Hamilton was born in Australia in 1909 and died near Keren in Italian Eritrea at the age of 31 in 1941 whilst on active service during World War II.

Early life Hamilton was born at Adelaide in South Australia in 1909, the son of James and Virginia Hamilton. His mother was Australian and his father a colonel in the Royal Engineers. Hamilton spent much of his youth in the north of Ireland. He was educated at Wellington College in England between 1922 and 1927 where he played cricket in the school First XI and rackets and acted in theatre productions.

Military career After leaving school Hamilton won a cadet scholarship to the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. and joined the Royal Artillery (RA), eventually rising to the rank of Major. He served in Egypt and Mandatory Palestine in 1938 and 1939 with 3rd Regiment RA as World War II broke out.

Sporting career Hamilton was an all-round sportsman. He played rackets for his school and for the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich and was the Army and the Amateur squash champion. He also represented Scotland at hockey

Hamilton also played cricket for a team representing Egypt, where he was stationed, in 1938 and 1939, for Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), Gezira Sporting Club and United Services as well as making one appearance for Kent Second XI in the Minor Counties Championship.