Michael Magill

Magill was born at Sevenoaks on 28 September 1915. He was educated at Eton College, before going up to Brasenose College, Oxford.[1] He made his debut in first-class cricket for Oxford University against the Minor Counties cricket team at Oxford in 1938.[2] Magill took a five wicket haul on debut, with 5/57 in the Minor Counties first-innings, figures which helped to contribute toward an Oxford University victory by 230 runs.[1][3] He made a further appearance in first-class matches for Oxford University in 1938 against Leicestershire,[2] in which he made a score of 80.[1] Magill also made a first-class appearance for the Free Foresters against Oxford University in June 1938.[2] He toured the West Indies with a combined Oxford and Cambridge Universities cricket team in August 1938, making two first-class appearances against Jamaica.[2]

While studying at Brasenose College he was a member of the Oxford Contingent of the Officers' Training Corps. Magill served in that unit's cavalry section and was promoted to second lieutenant on 1 March 1937.[4] He resigned his commission on 4 July 1938 but transferred to the main British Army General List of Officers in his previous rank on 26 December 1938.[5][6]

In June 1939, Magill made his sixth and final appearance in first-class cricket for the British Army cricket team against Cambridge University at Fenner's.[2] In August 1939 he played one minor counties match for Berkshire in the Minor Counties Championship.[7] Also during Summer 1939 he played for the British Army against a West Indies team.[8]

During the Second World War Magill served in the 1st Battalion, the Royal Berkshire Regiment, where he gained the rank of lieutenant.[1] He died in a training accident at Filey in Yorkshire on 5 September 1940, when he stood on a land mine.[1] At the time he was serving as intelligence officer to the 6th Infantry Brigade commander Brigadier Dennis Walter Furlong,[9][10] who was also killed in the blast.[11]

• Michael Magill at ESPNcricinfo