P J Y Hucks - Old Cholmeleian

Many will be sorry to learn of the death of Phil Hucks at the age of 90. He was formerly President of the Old Cholmeleian Fives Club, was a Jester and had also been a member of the EFA Committee.

Phil was very loyal to the Old Cholmeleians, serving on their general committee for many years, eventually becoming President of the Cholmeleian Society. After the war he was instrumental in having the Fives courts on the senior field re-glazed and lighting installed. He personally raised a large sum of money for this work. He also played a large part in hard landscaping the approach to the Bishopswood Road courts.

Enthusiastic at games generally, Phil was a very keen and competent Fives player. He was excellent value in the bar after matches, full of good humour and a fund of jokes. He formed a particular affinity to the Old Citizens and donated the Hucks Cup for the six-pair matches played three times a year. He was one of the ancient quartet with Jack Gaywood against Leslie Lockie and Geoff Harris.

Phil was a member of the Stock Exchange from 1928 until he retired in 1969. He was a partner in Medwin and Lowy, Stockbrokers. He was commissioned in the Sherwood Foresters during the Second World War, but was captured in June 1942, spending the rest of the War in POW camp in Italy and Germany.

Shortly after he retired he moved to Devon, where he spent many happy years. Latterly his sight deteriorated but he remained cheerful and very interested in Cholmeleian affairs and Fives in particular.

Phil will be remembered as an able administrator, a keen sportsman and someone who was generous both financially and with his time.

To his wife, Mary and their two children, Michael and Penny, we offer our sincere condolences.

Gordon Stringer

Jack Gaywood writes:

Phil Hucks was a good friend of mine. He and I kept in touch and chatted only a few days before his death.

During my thirteen years as Secretary of the Old Cholmeleian Fives Club he was a tremendous help and was very popular with opponents, notably the Old Citizens whom he and Mary entertained to a lavish tea after our match at Highgate.

Phil was a great trier on court and was unlucky that his time at Highgate coincided with probably the strongest-ever team - Howard Fabian, Javier Aguirre and the Portu brothers, Enrique and Eduardo.