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Robert Wilson

1922 – 1980

English first-class cricketer and Royal Air Force officer born 1922

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About Robert Wilson

Lived 1922 – 1980 (aged 57). Robert Wilson was a cricketer.

Robert Greenwood Wilson (20 November 1922 – 6 March 1980) was an English first-class cricketer and Royal Air Force officer. Having served during World War II, Wilson's career with the Royal Air Force spanned over two decades, for which he was decorated three times. He played first-class cricket for the Combined Services cricket team, before becoming the secretary of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club from 1972–77.

Early life and services cricket Born at Arnside in Westmorland, Wilson was commissioned as a pilot officer with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in April 1942. While serving with 614 Squadron in August 1945, Wilson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Following the war, he gained the rank of flying officer on a permanent basis in January 1947, by which point he was serving with the Royal Air Force.

He played first-class cricket for the Combined Services cricket team, making his debut against Glamorgan at Pontypridd. He made twelve first-class appearances for the Combined Services up to and including 1952, He made one century, scoring exactly 100 against Hampshire in 1949. A right-arm fast-medium bowler, Wilson took 24 wickets at a bowling average of 27.29, with best figures of 5 for 41. Alongside his matches for the Combined Services, Wilson also appeared in one first-class match for the Free Foresters against Cambridge University in 1950 at Fenner's. In the 1957 Birthday Honours, he was awarded the Air Force Cross (AFC). He gained the rank of wing commander in January 1959. In the 1963 Birthday Honours, Wilson was awarded a bar to his AFC. Two years later in 1965, he was promoted to the rank of group captain.

After retiring from the Royal Air Force, Wilson was the secretary of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club from 1972–77. He died at Swindon in March 1980.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Awards
Air Force Cross; Distinguished Flying Cross
Also known as
Robert Greenwood Wilson

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Robert Wilson's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Robert Wilson?

English first-class cricketer and Royal Air Force officer born 1922 (1922-1980)

When was Robert Wilson born?

Robert Wilson was born on 20 December 1922 in Arnside.

When did Robert Wilson die?

Robert Wilson died on 6 March 1980 in Swindon.

What was Robert Wilson's occupation?

Robert Wilson was a cricketer.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Robert Wilson

· Wikidata: Q65079186

· DBpedia: Robert Wilson (cricketer, born 1922)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert Wilson. https://biography.guide/robert-wilson-cricketer-1922/

MLA: "Robert Wilson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-wilson-cricketer-1922/.

Chicago: "Robert Wilson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-wilson-cricketer-1922/.

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