Tributes to Assington squash champion Malcolm Gilham

‘Driven’ is the word that Malcolm Gilham’s family feels describes him best, for whatever he was doing, he did it with passion. 

Malcolm was born in Hayes, west London, on October 4, 1934, the second child born to Eric and Wynne Gilham. 

Life was not always easy. When Malcolm was five, the Second World War was declared, and his father went away to fight. He never returned. 

Malcolm began his career in the army after graduating from Sandhurst as a young man. Image: Family of Malcolm Gilham (Image: Family of Malcolm Gilham)Malcolm was hugely respected by the men he led, and was nicknamed 'Major Cool Cat'. Image: Family of Malcolm Gilham (Image: Family of Malcolm Gilham)

Eric's devastated family assumed that he had been killed in service, and Wynne was left to raise her four children alone. With no proper widow’s pension, money was tight. 

It was only 30 years later that the siblings learned the truth, when their father contacted Malcolm out of the blue. He had in fact absconded and lived out the rest of his life in the Middle East. 

It was a difficult start in life, and Malcolm often misbehaved, explained his son, Clive Gilham. 

However, this all changed when he enrolled at King’s School Peterborough, a state-aided boarding school. Malcolm changed tack from being the naughty boy and began to apply himself. 

His hard work paid off, and Malcolm was accepted into Sandhurst upon leaving school. He passed out third from Sandhurst, reaching the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. 

Malcolm then joined the Middlesex Regiment. His military career would take him all over the world, serving in countries such as Cyprus, Gibraltar and Singapore. 

On leave in Reading, Malcolm met Julia, the woman who was to become his wife of more than 50 years. They tied the knot on September 6, 1958. 

Like his parents, Malcolm and Julia also had four children: Clive, Angus, Caroline and Louise. 

In the early 1960s, Malcolm was posted to Northern Ireland and the family relocated to Belfast. It was just a few years later that the Troubles began. 

Malcolm and his regiment were tasked with keeping the peace and protecting civilians as best they could. In fact, it was Malcolm who came up with the design for a new 6-foot, clear Perspex shield which the soldiers could stand behind. 

Malcolm was highly respected in his field. When he left Belfast in the 1970s, he was presented with a banner signed by all his men, which read: “In deep appreciation of the leadership and calm displayed on the troubled streets of Belfast by Major ‘Cool Cat’ Gilham.” 

A banner presented to Malcolm by his men in Belfast read: “In deep appreciation of the leadership and calm displayed on the troubled streets of Belfast by Major ‘Cool Cat’ Gilham.” Image: Family of Malcolm Gilham (Image: Family of Malcolm Gilham)Malcolm Gilham, surrounded by his family. Image: Family of Malcolm Gilham (Image: Family of Malcolm Gilham)

After two decades in the army, Malcolm decided it was time for a change, and accepted a job as a sports officer in Brighton. He had always liked playing tennis and cricket, and Clive said it was a joy for his father to combine his career with something he loved. 

His next career move took him to Chelmsford, as the borough council’s director of leisure.

Malcolm considered his greatest achievement here to be the Chelmsford Spectacular in Hylands Park, a festival he created which proved so successful that it became an annual event. 

The festival which took place in 1997 was considered Malcolm’s crowning glory, with the West End cast of Les Misérables arriving at his invitation to serenade the crowds with songs from the musical. 

Malcolm aged 82, proudly holding his world squash champion medal. Image: Newsquest (Image: Family of Malcolm Gilham)Malcolm was proud to remain fit and active, even in his 80s. Image: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Malcolm and Julia moved to the village of Assington near Sudbury some 30 years ago, and he spent the final years of his life in Newton Green.  

After retiring, Malcolm had more time to devote to his beloved sports, particularly squash. 

Now in his 60s, he was soon representing England at the sport’s equivalent of the Olympic Games.

At 75, he won the world championship in Australia in the over-75 category. 

An incredible feat, Malcolm again tasted victory in 2016 in South Africa in the over-80s category, now aged 82. 

Throughout his life, Clive said, Malcolm remained driven. His difficult start in life had instilled in him a competitive spirit, setting high goals for himself which he was determined to achieve. 

He also remained active until the very end of his life – and was still taking weekly golf lessons until just a few months ago. 

Malcolm died at home after a short illness on October 6, aged 89. He was cared for with great dignity by nurses from St Elizabeth Hospice. He is survived by his four children, his nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.