Robert Awdry

Robert William Awdry (20 May 1881 – 3 February 1949) was an English cricketer who later became chairman of Wiltshire County Council. He played nine first-class matches for Oxford University Cricket Club between 1902 and 1904.

He was the third son of Charles Awdry of Shaw Hill House, Melksham, and afterwards of the Manor, Littleton Panell. Awdry was educated at Winchester College and New College, Oxford. He served in the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry through World War I, and after the war rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel commanding the regiment. He was a member of Wiltshire County Council 1919–49 and its chairman 1946–49. He was appointed CBE in the 1946 New Year Honours in recognition of his role as chairman of the council's Emergency Committee.

Awdry was captain of Wiltshire County Cricket Club for several years, and served as President and later Chairman of Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society from 1939 until his death.

Awdrey married Olive Muriel Tosswill in 1913 Awdry had Hawkswell House built at Little Cheverell, Wiltshire around 1914–1920, and lived there until 1941.