Alec Wilson Riddolls (26 October 1908 – 18 May 1963) was a New Zealand academic and sportsman. An agricultural engineer who worked at a number of university colleges in New Zealand, he played in one first-class cricket match for Wellington during the 1941–42 seasonAlec Riddolls, CricInfo. Retrieved 27 October 2020.McCarron, Tony (2010). New Zealand Cricketers 1863/64–2010, p. 113. Cardiff: The Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians. (Available online at the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians. Retrieved 5 June 2023.) and represented the province in association football.Obituary: Mr AW Riddolls, The Press, volume CII, issue 30135, 20 May 1963, p. 16. (Available online at Papers Past. Retrieved 13 May 2025.)
Born at Colne near Burnley in Lancashire, Wilson's family migrated to Christchurch when he was about 12. He was educated at Christchurch Technical College in the city before attending Seddon Memorial Technical College in Auckland where he won a number of scholarships. He went up to Canterbury University College, graduating with an engineering degree in 1929, before going on to Victoria University College to complete a science degree. After working in the engineering industry, in 1934 he took up a teaching post at Hutt Valley Memorial Technical College, eventually becoming the head of the engineering department.Engineering and Lincoln College, The Press, volume CII, issue 30146, 1 June 1963, p. 7. (Available online at Papers Past. Retrieved 13 May 2025.)
In 1944, Riddolls moved back to Christchurch where he was appointed at Lincoln College as the college's first lecturer in agricultural engineering. He published academic papers and a text book and was a member of a number of academic associations. He developed the teaching and research programmes at Lincoln College, established a research station to test agricultural machinery, and remained a reader at the college until his death.New institute at Lincoln, The Press, volume CIII, issue 30532, 29 August 1964, p. 9. (Available online at Papers Past. Retrieved 13 May 2025.)
In his youth, Riddolls was a prominent sportsman. He played cricket, association football, and was active in long-distance running. He represented Wellington in soccer and made one appearance for the provincial cricket team. During the match, a February 1942 fixture against Auckland at Eden Park, he scored 30 runs, including 23 in his second innings, and took a single wicket.Alec Riddolls, CricketArchive. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
Married with three children, Riddolls died suddenly at Christchurch in May 1963. He was aged 54. A memorial fund at Lincoln College was established in his honour the following year.Memorial fund, The Press, volume CIII, issue 30544, 12 September 1964, p. 9. (Available online at Papers Past. Retrieved 13 May 2025.)
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