• Born 5 June 1901, Dublin
• Died 12 September 1978, Carrigaline, Co Cork
• Educated Shrewsbury School, Dublin University
• Occupation Engineer then Preparatory School Headmaster
• Debut 8 August 1927 v MCC at Lord's
• Cap Number 356
• Style Right-hand bat, right-arm medium
• Teams Dublin University, Phoenix, Bangor

Wilfred Hutton was not in the XI at Shrewsbury, where his time overlapped with assistant professional turned Headmaster's secretary Fred (later Neville) Cardus, but he was a stylish opening batsman, who, even almost two decades after he had ceased to play serious cricket, looked a class player. Thus his failure really to make a name himself in Irish cricket must be counted a major disappointment. In 162 matches for the University and Phoenix between 1920 and 1937, he scored 2442 runs at 15.64, a low average for one whom Pat Hone called a "first-rate player." He only hit six 50s in all, two of which were for the University.

His highest score was 91 for Phoenix in 1934 by which time his appearances were becoming increasingly spasmodic. He had appeared in one first-class match for the University against Esssex in 1922. At number 3, he failed with scores of 2 and 0. The following year he opened the innings against the West Indies. Again a double failure resulted. He was yorked for 4 by fastman George Francis in the first knock In the second he got to 11, before falling to the left arm spin of Victor Pascall, uncle of Learie Constantine, who played in the match but did not bowl much.

Wilfred would have had cause to feel unlucky in his sole appearance for Ireland. In a high scoring weather-affected match, he did not get in as Ireland reached 277 for 6 before the rain came. The strength of the Irish batting can be seen from the fact that the leading all rounder TH Dixon was down to bat at 11.

In the late 1930s, Wilfred with no previous teaching experience, became involved in the establishment of Garth House Preparatory School in Bangor, Co Down. He played a number of matches for Bangor CC, but I have been unable to find any details of his achievements. In 1944 he became Headmaster, following the death of the founder, being released from his military duties to do so.

Here he was a reluctant coach, as he feared that over much instruction would turn boys off the game. Instead it tended to leave them unprepared for matches with other schools. The school's most famous old boy, athlete double international Cecil Pedlow, was a useful bowler both at Garth House and Campbell College, but his excellence came in two sports, rugby and tennis, for which Wilfred had little time.

He died before his other star student Lord (Paddy) Ashdown, British politician and UN diplomat became prominent. Wilfred retired in 1966 and went to live in County Cork. Here his life was disrupted by a bizarre incident. A rather deranged man, who had no connection with any paramilitary organisation, decided that as a former British officer, Wilfred must be an MI6 agent. Fortunately, before he could carry out his planned assassination, the Gardai intervened. Wilfred Hutton's failure to make more of his talents must remain a mystery.

Any information about Wilfred Hutton's career with Bangor CC would be most welcome.