Philip Weaver

Philip Humphrey Peter Weaver (12 March 1912 — 28 June 1991) was an English first-class cricketer and British Army officer, who served with the Special Air Service during the second half of the Second World War.

Early life and sporting career The son of the British Indian Army officer Humphrey Weaver, he was born in British India at Kalimpong in March 1912. He was educated in England at King's School, Bruton; his dyslexia prevented him from attending one of the more fashionable schools of the time. He played cricket with success for the school, making nearly 2,500 runs during his time there. In 1930, his aggregate for the school was 975 runs at an average of 75.53; however, despite his success, he was not invited to partake in the School's Week at Lord's. After completing his education, he worked for a paper mill in Bristol. After this, he moved to Bournemouth, where he owned a tobacco and sweet shop, before moving into the dry cleaning and fruit machine businesses. He scored 55 runs in his two matches, with a highest score of 37.

Second World War service and later life In 1937, he enlisted in the Territorial Royal Engineers, before receiving a call-up to the Dorset Regiment. He was subsequently posted to the West Dorset Scout Section of Auxiliary Units, where he trained members of the Home Guard. In August 1943, he took over as Intelligence Officer in charge of all Auxiliary Units in Dorset, succeeding Major Randle Darwall-Smith. Weaver survived the attack and regrouped with the remainder of 'B' Squadron, which identified the German barracks at Bonneuil-Matours and successfully attacked it with napalm. They were subsequently evacuated by the Royal Air Force aboard two Hudson's and by the United States Army Air Forces aboard a Dakota. Throughout the operation, Weaver was distinguishable from his comrades by his wearing of the beige beret, instead of the airborne maroon beret. He was part of the SAS unit which helped to liberate Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in April 1945, He had returned to the Dorset Regiment by 1947, when he was promoted to captain under a short service commission. In May 1952, he undertook a short service commission with the Royal Berkshire Regiment, before being promoted to major in April 1954. He relinquished his commission in March 1957. After retiring from military service, Weaver ran a chicken farm in Essex and played club cricket into his fifties. He died at Poole in June 1991.