Edward Aylmer (cricketer)

Alymer was born at Falmouth to Frederick Arthur Aylmer and his wife, Constance Isabella Grenfell.[1] He entered the Royal Navy Training Establishment in January 1905, graduating in January 1911 when he was posted to HMS Hermes as a midshipman.[1] Having been made an acting sub-lieutenant in September 1912,[1] he was promoted to the full rank in May 1913.[2] He served with the Royal Navy during the First World War, with promotion to the rank of lieutenant in December 1914.[3] He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in June 1917.[4]

He made a single appearance in first-class cricket for the Royal Navy against Cambridge University at Fenner's in 1920.[5] Batting twice in the match, he was dismissed by Charles Marriott for 10 runs in the Royal Navy first-innings, while in their second-innings he was unbeaten on 10. He took a single wicket in the Cambridge University first-innings, when he dismissed Jack MacBryan to finish with innings figures of 1 for 19, though he went wicketless in their second-innings.[6] He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander in December 1922, and was given his first command when he was placed in command of the submarine HMS R4.[1] He was placed in command of HMS L23 in June 1924, a post he held until May 1926.[1] He was promoted to the rank of commander in June 1927.[7] Between 1926 and 1929, Aylmer commanded HMS Adamant and HMS Pigmy, before commanding the minesweeper HMS Marazion from 1930 to 1932,[1] during which the ship was present at the sinking of HMS Poseidon.

From 1933 to 1935, he was the commanding officer aboard HMS Titania and commanded the 6th Submarine Flotilla.[1] He was promoted to the rank of captain in June 1935.[8] He was present at the Royal Naval College from March–July 1936, before commanding HMS Cyclops, HMS Douglas and the 1st Submarine Flotilla from July 1936 to June 1938.[1] He captained HMS Hastings from June–September 1939, before becoming the commanding officer of HMS Curacoa from December 1939 to August 1940.[1] From August 1940 to February 1942, he commanded HMS Newcastle. While commanding HMS Newcastle he escorted George II of Greece to exile in Britain.[1] He was mentioned in dispatches in January 1942,[9] and was made a recipient of the Order of George I for his role in escorting George II to exile.[10] From April 1942 to August 1943, he was the commanding officer of the Royal Naval College, Eaton.[1] He served as the naval aide-de-camp to George VI from January–July 1944, while also serving as the naval officer in charge of HMS Sheba in the Colony of Aden.[1] He retired from active service soon after.

He died in October 1974 at Askerwell, Dorset. His wife, Gladwys Phoebe Evans, predeceased him by six years.[1] Their only son, Gerald Aylmer, was a historian of 17th century England.

• Edward Aylmer at ESPNcricinfo