Eric Hamilton (cricketer)

Eric Peter Hamilton (5 May 1913 – 15 July 1943) was a South African first-class cricketer and South African Air Force officer.

Eric Hamilton

Personal information
Full name	Eric Peter Hamilton
Born	(1913-05-05)5 May 1913 Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa
Died	15 July 1943(1943-07-15) (aged 30) over Sicily, Fascist Italy
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1936	City of Johannesburg
1937	Transvaal
Career statistics
Competition First-class Matches 2 Runs scored 65 Batting average 21.66 100s/50s 0/0 Top score 33 Balls bowled – Wickets – Bowling average – 5 wickets in innings – 10 wickets in match – Best bowling – Catches/stumpings –
Source: Cricinfo, 26 July 2020

Hamilton was born in Johannesburg on 5 May 1913.^[1] His debut in cricket took place on 5 October 1936 for the City of Johannesburg against The Rest at the Old Wanderers.^[2] During the match, Hamilton scored 32 runs, but was dismissed both innings.^[3] Hamilton's second cricket match, representing Transvaal against the Orange Free State, occurred on 29–30 January 1937.^[2] During the first inning, Hamilton made 33 runs before he was dismissed by Henry Sparks.^[4]

During the Second World War, Hamilton enlisted in the South African Air Force and was commissioned as a lieutenant.^[5] Trained as a Martin Baltimore pilot, he was posted to No. 21 Squadron in Malta, where the squadron supported the Allied invasion of Sicily.^[6] During a daytime bombing mission on 15 July 1943, Hamilton and his two crew members were shot down and killed in Baltimore AG390.^[7] He is buried at the Syracuse War Cemetery.^[8]