North Devon Cricket Club are saddened to learn of the death of former chairman Hilton Cole.
Recently we have not seen a lot of Hilton as he had been caring for his wife Mary who predeceased
him by one month.
After a distinguished career in the Welsh and Metropolitan police (as a PC he was the first officer to
make an arrest based on a photo fit picture) Hilton joined the diplomatic protection squad where he
became body guard to Home Secretary Willie Whitelaw.
Hilton retired to Bideford and pursued an active life of sailing, Golf and Cricket. He enjoyed traveling
especially to Spain and Portugal for golf and America to catch up with his FBI colleagues.
As a mid-order batsman with an occasional stint medium pace bowling he played a lot of midweek
cricket and for the seconds at the weekend. Non strikers had to be alert to the ball nudged to square leg
and the “one” call!
Hilton took up umpiring once he found playing cricket more difficult and he became club chairman
from 2002 until 2005 – a role he took to with gusto. His forthright manner left no one in any doubt
where he and they stood.
Hilton’s nephew is Steffan Jones and he looked forward to our Exeter fixture to catch up with family
news (In welsh of course!).
Funeral arrangements:
Barnstaple Crematorium Wednesday 19th July 12:20pm
Followed by a Wake at North Devon Cricket Club