Myles Thoroton Hildyard

Myles Thoroton Hildyard (1914–2005) was an English landowner, diarist and historian. He won the Military Cross for his escape from a prisoner-of-war camp after the Battle of Crete. Life He was the eldest son of the barrister Gerald Moresby Thoroton Hildyard and his wife Sybil Hamilton Hoare of Stourton, Wiltshire; he was a grandson of General Henry Hildyard, and the diplomat David Henry Thoroton Hildyard (1916–1997) was the younger of his two brothers. He was educated at Eton College and Magdalene College, Cambridge. He was a barrister of Lincoln's Inn, but did not practise law. Hildyard served in the Nottinghamshire (Sherwood Rangers) Yeomanry in World War II, posted first to Palestine and Egypt. On Crete in 1941, he was captured by the Germans during their airborne invasion. He escaped from the camp where he was held at Maleme Airport, with Michael Parish. After three months on the run in island, they crossed by sea to Turkey. Hildyard was then in action with the 8th Armoured Division at the Battle of El Alamein. He became an intelligence officer, posted to North Africa, Italy and France. His wartime service was recognised by the award of an MBE. Hildyard served as Deputy Lieutenant and a justice of the peace for Nottinghamshire. He was Lord of the Manor of Flintham and of Screveton, and patron of the living of Flintham. He also became known for his work at Flintham Hall, a Grade I listed house, which The Independent noted in its obituary of Hildyard, has been described as "perhaps the most gloriously romantic Victorian house in England." He restored the landscape park and woodland that enclose the Hall and Conservatory and the Hall's walled garden.