Peter Kingston Davey watches as Ian Bishop bowls for Devon against Cheshire at Bovey Tracey in 2005

FORMER Minor Counties umpire Peter Kingston-Davey, who was on the competition panel for 12 seasons, has died aged 76.

Kingston-Davey was appointed to the Minor Counties panel in 1995. He stood in 39 Championship games, officially bowing out in 2005 after a game between Wales and Herefordshire.Peter Kingston-Davey at Mount Wise, Plymouth in 2001. Nick Folland is batting

There were 15 appointments to Minor Counties Trophy games between 1997-2005.

Minor Counties umpires retire aged 65, however Kingston-Davey made an unexpected comeback the following year.

Minor Counties officials were left high and dry when Guy Randall-Johnson walked off a game between Dorset and Berkshire at Bournemouth after claiming he had been abused by a player.

Randall-Johnson, a former Devon batsman who had taken up umpiring after he finished playing, never stood in another Minor Counties game.

An umpire was needed for days two and three – and Kingston-Davey answered an SoS to fill in.

Randall-Johnson’s remaining game had to be covered too so Kingston-Davey filled in one more time, signing off for good at St Austell in a game between Devon and Cornwall.

Kingston-Davey was a member of the Cornwall Association of Cricket Umpires from 1988 to 2003, living at Falmouth before moving back to Devon.

He became a vice-president of Cornwall CCC following his retirement.

Kingston-Davey umpired in the Devon League up to 2007 before putting the white coat away.

With his mellifluous voice and attention to detail, Kingston-Davey was idea as Devon’s match day announcer for a number of seasons.

Peter Kingston-Davey was born in 1940 and brought up in the Bristol area.

He adopted his double-barreled name from his parents: mum was a Kingston and dad was a Davey.

The young Kingston-Davey was educated at Katharine Lady Berkeley’s Grammar School in Wooton-under-Edge, where he acquired his passion for cricket.

Gloucestershire showed an interest in the young batsman, who featured in their Club and Ground and 2nd XI sides in the 1950s.

Kingston-Davey joined the RAF with hopes of becoming a pilot, but failed the eyesight test as he was colour blind and returned to Civvy Street. He followed his father into the insurance industry and remained in financial services for the rest of his working life.

Cricket continued with club side Hanham in Bristol, which included a stint as 1st XI captain between 1971-77.

After playing came a switch to umpiring and a move to Falmouth in Cornwall to work and umpire. Kingston-Davey and wife Sue moved to Devon in 2003.

Away from the cricket pitch, Kingston-Davey played golf when he could. He was a member of Falmouth GC and served a term as club captain.

Golf continued after the move to Devon at Teign Valley, where husband and wife were members.

Peter Kingston-Davey died in Torbay Hospital where he was being treated for cancer. He is survived by his wife, four children and eight grandchildren.

His funeral will take place at the Exeter and Devon Crematorium on August 2. Afterwards a reception is taking place at the Devon Hotel, Matford, Exeter. 

Peter Kingston-Davey at Torquay for Devon against Shropshire in 2003. Trevor Anning is bowling