It has become widely known that my next book, titled CHAMP! The One and Only Alma Hunt, is due to be published in a matter of weeks. It documents highlights of Alma's wide and varied career.

The Champ Hunt tale is one of the most incredible success stories in the world of cricket. Not only was he Bermuda's greatest, he went on to become the greatest in the whole of the West Indies when he played in Trinidad in the 1933 Test trials and for the next decade or more was the greatest in Scotland.

In 1982, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), in a universal review of cricket that was broadcast world-wide, quoted former England fast bowler Freddie Trueman categorically crediting "Alma Hunt as the player who did the most for Scottish cricket". And renowned historian Allan Massie in 1986 listed Champ first among the four greatest cricketers he had ever seen.

As great a Cup Match star that was, he was not the only great in the country back in his day. We'll get to learn more about them later. But here's a direct quote from my book about just this sensational player, Edward (Bosun) Swainson.

"The stakes for stardom in the Cup Match were high. Career opportunities hinged on it (as exemplified above about Champ). Also there was Edward (Bosun) Swainson, a detective in the Bermuda police force, who became a national hero and was given an inscribed silver service at what was tantamount to a state dinner preceded by a torchlight parade when in 1939 he scored the first-ever Cup Match century. He was also rewarded with instant promotion, becoming the first black inspector in the island's police force, breaking the rigid colour barrier that restricted black police from rising above the rank of sergeant."

The Sunday after last week's Cup Match at Wellington Oval Bosun Swainson's offspring and closest kin came from far and near for a reunion and to reminisce about his sensational career. The event was hosted by one of his two daughters, Sybil Swainson Robinson at her Spanish Point home. The other daughter is Catherine Smack, 78, who came from her home in New Jersey with son John and daughter Sherry. Niece Giselle Wilson flew from China, accompanied by two grown-up sons, Arron and Jared, where they all live.

Bosun's only surviving sister, Mrs. Dorothy Bascome, 85, of Wellington, St. George's, was in attendance. Other deceased siblings were brothers Reginald, Charles (Charlie), Frederick and Joseph, and sister Robine. Bosun had four children, the daughters named above and sons Leslie of Southampton and Edward, Jr.

The latter was unable to come from his home in Atlanta. Edward is the father of Gina Swainson. She brought fame to Bermuda when in 1979 in England competing as Miss Bermuda, she won the title over beauties from all over the globe, and was crowned Miss World. For bringing such fame to her country, the Bermuda Government honoured her with a special stamp issue.

It would seem that Bosun Swainson was born to be a star. Before his fame as a cricketer and captain of the St. George's Cricket Club, he was an outstanding soccer player and a billiards champion. He became a hero during his earliest days on the police force. He was stationed at St. David's which he covered on a bicycle.

Those were the days when doctors made their house calls in a two-wheeled, horse-drawn carriage. On one occasion the horse made off with its buggy and Bosun, observing what was happening, mounted his bike, furiously overtook the runaway and brought it under control.

Tales about Edward Bosun Swainson are legion; his trophies, awards and testimonials are countless. While scoring the first Cup Match 100, in 1939, significantly the year before he was on 99 when he was given out lbw. The night he was given a torchlight parade through St. George's town, he rode a white horse to the delight of thousands of fans.

Daughter Sybil allowed her scores of guests on Sunday to have rare access to his trophy cabinet of which she is the custodian. It contains priceless solid silver, china and crystal pieces, despite the fact that she has shared other pieces with her siblings.

She still has the bat with which he scored his century as well as the custom-made white pads, the only ones of their kind in the Cup Match with their distinctive brown leather straps. The striped cap he wore as captain disintegrated over the years. The trophy cabinet is kept held under tight security.

Bosun was born December 1, 1901 and died in 1967 at age 65. He was stricken with a heart attack while with his daughter Catherine in New Jersey. In 1927, Caroline Richardson became the envy of her gender when she became Bosun's wife in a fabulous wedding at the Catholic Church in St. George's. In later years while she was undergoing surgery a nerve in her back was severed, leaving her with a severe handicap. Bosun was utterly devoted to his wife. He stood by her side.

The intention of the couple was to send their children abroad for college education. First to go were Edward and Catherine. Sybil was next in line to go. She was aged 14 when Bosun told her she that her mother was so sick, she would have to stay in Bermuda and look after her as he had to work.

For the next 30 years Sybil was lovingly at the beck and call of her mother. Her mother told her: "Sybil, you are going to have a good life. You are never going to be sick."

During one conversation she told her mother: "I would like to have a house on the water. She said, 'I do not know if I can promise you that.' She never lived to see it, but I did get my house by the water."

Sybil added she was indeed blessed.

"I have never been sick, never had a headache or pain in my stomach. And I am now aged 76."

In October last year she was crowned Glamorous Granny for the ensuing year.

She said she was really enjoying her tenure, especially having the greater opportunity to meet more elderly people.

"I find they need people to visit their homes, as many are quite lonely."

Our main photo at top shows, from left, front, John Smack, Madgree Wales, Rochelle Smith, Kit Swainson, Catherine Smack, the elder of Bosun's daughter. The other is Sybil Swainson Robinson, who is standing directly behind Catherine; Deborah Simons and her brother Philip Bascome who resides in New York.Center row: Renee Burrows, Donna Robinson; Beulah O'Bryan, of Washington, DC; Kandra Whalton, Brenda Pearman, Sybil, Dorothy Robinson, Louise Moore, Helen Bailey, Giselle Wilson, who came from China with her two sons, Arron and Jared, who is not seen in this picture. Back row: Sherry Smack, Leslie Swain, son of 'Bosun' who resides in Southampton, Charles (Ted) Swainson, Vernon Swainson, son of Bosun's brother Charles; Vernon Swainson, son of 'Bosuns' late brother Frederick.

Left: Bosun Swainson daughters, Catherine and Sybil have on the table a solid silver casserole dish which was a wedding present from the St.George's C.C. when he married in 1927. The original club's light and dark blue colours are still attached. Also close-up is a silver tea service presented by Somerset Cup captain Warren Simmons, as a wedding present on behalf of Somerset C.C. Not seen is an eight-piece silver cutlery set with Bosun's initials inscribed on the bone handles is one of the treasures Sybil has shared with other family members. And there was a hand-shaped silver ladle with raised golden grapes replicated in the palm. A few of Bosun's priceless silver, crystal and china trophies can be seen in the cabinet against the wall.