Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the 1948 Summer Olympics
Encyclopedia
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
, competing as Great Britain, was the host nation for the 1948 Summer Olympics
in London
. It was the second time that the United Kingdom had hosted the Summer Olympic Games
, equalling the record of France
and the United States
to that point. British athletes have competed in every Summer Olympic Games. 398 competitors, 333 men and 65 women, took part in 138 events in 20 sports.
Men's foil
Men's team foil
Men's épée
Men's team épée
Men's sabre
Men's team sabre
Women's foil
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, competing as Great Britain, was the host nation for the 1948 Summer Olympics
1948 Summer Olympics
The 1948 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in London, England, United Kingdom. After a 12-year hiatus because of World War II, these were the first Summer Olympics since the 1936 Games in Berlin...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It was the second time that the United Kingdom had hosted the Summer Olympic Games
Summer Olympic Games
The Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...
, equalling the record of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to that point. British athletes have competed in every Summer Olympic Games. 398 competitors, 333 men and 65 women, took part in 138 events in 20 sports.
Gold
- Dickie BurnellDickie BurnellRichard "Dickie" Desborough Burnell was an English rower who competed for Great Britain in the 1948 Summer Olympics.He was born in Henley-on-Thames and died in Wallingford...
and Bert BushnellBert BushnellBertram "Bert" Harold Thomas Bushnell was a British rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics....
— Rowing, Men's Double Sculls
- Ran LaurieRan LaurieWilliam George Ranald Mundell Laurie , known as Ran Laurie, was a British physician, rowing champion and Olympic gold medallist. His younger son is the actor and writer Hugh Laurie.-Rowing career:...
and Jack WilsonJack Wilson (rower)John Hyrne Tucker Wilson, known as Jack Wilson , was a British rowing champion and Olympic gold medallist....
— Rowing, Men's Coxless Pairs
- David BondDavid Bond (sailor)David Bond is a British sailor and Olympic Champion. He competed at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London and won a gold medal in the Swallow class with Stewart Morris.-References:...
and Stewart MorrisStewart MorrisStewart Morris, OBE, was a British sailor, born in Bromley, Kent. He competed at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London and won a gold medal in the Swallow class with David Bond....
— Sailing, Men's Swallow Class
Silver
- Tom Richards — Athletics, Men's Marathon
- Alastair McCorquodaleAlastair McCorquodaleAlastair McCorquodale was a Scottish athlete and cricketer.McCorquodale was educated at Harrow where he opened the bowling for the 1st XI in the 1948 Eton v Harrow match at Lord's. He represented Britain in Athletics at the 1948 Olympic Games in London...
, John ArcherJohn Archer (athlete)John "Jack" Archer was a British athlete who competed mainly in the 100 metres....
, John GregoryJohn Gregory (athlete)John Arthur Gregory was a British athlete who competed mainly in the 100 metres.He competed for Great Britain in the 1948 Summer Olympics held in London, Great Britain in the 4 x 100 metre relay where he won the silver medal with his team mates Jack Archer, Alastair McCorquodale and Kenneth...
, and Kenneth Jones — Athletics, Men's 4x100m Relay
- Dorothy ManleyDorothy ManleyDorothy Gladys Manley Dorothy Gladys Manley (later Hall, then Partlett) Dorothy Gladys Manley (later Hall, then Partlett) (born is a British athlete who competed mainly in the 100 metres.She competed for Great Britain in the 1948 Summer Olympics held in London, United Kingdom in the 100 metres...
— Athletics, Women's 100 metres
- Audrey WilliamsonAudrey WilliamsonAudrey Doreen Swayne Williamson was a British athlete who competed mainly in the 200 metres....
— Athletics, Women's 200 metres
- Maureen GardnerMaureen GardnerMaureen Angela Jane Gardner was a British champion hurdler who at age 19 was a silver medallist in the 80-metre hurdles at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. She narrowly missed the gold medal to Dutch housewife Fanny Blankers-Koen, with an identical recorded time of 11.2 seconds...
— Athletics, Women's 80m Hurdles
- Dorothy Tyler-OdamDorothy Tyler-OdamDorothy Jennifer Beatrice Tyler nee Odam MBE is a British athlete who competed mainly in the High Jump. She was born in Stockwell, London....
— Athletics, Women's High Jump
- John WrightJohn Wright (boxer)John "Johnny" Alan Wright was a British amateur boxer who won a silver medal in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.He lost in the final to László Papp of Hungary.-External links:*...
— Boxing, Men's Middleweight
- Don Scott — Boxing, Men's Light Heavyweight
- Reginald Harris — Cycling, Men's 1.000m Sprint (Scratch)
- Robert John Maitland, Ian Scott, and Gordon Thomas — Cycling, Men's Team Road Race
- Alan Bannister and Reginald Harris — Cycling, Men's 2.000m Tandem
- George SimeGeorge SimeGeorge Brander Sime was a British field hockey player who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.He was a member and captain of the British field hockey team, which won the silver medal. He played all five matches as halfback.-External links:*...
, Michael WalfordMichael WalfordMichael Moore Walford , often known as "Micky Walford", was an all-round sportsman: a British field hockey player who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics, a first-class cricket player for Oxford University and Somerset and a rugby union centre three-quarter and stand-off half good enough to play...
, William White, William LindsayWilliam Lindsay (field hockey)William L. C. Lindsay was a British field hockey player who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the British field hockey team, which won the silver medal.-External links:*...
, John PeakeJohn PeakeJohn Morris Peake was a British field hockey player who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the British field hockey team, which won the silver medal. He played all five matches as forward.-External links:*...
, Frank Reynolds, Ronald Davies, William Griffiths, Robin Lindsay, Robert AdlardRobert AdlardRobert Edward Adlard was a British field hockey player who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the British field hockey team, which won the silver medal.-External links:*...
, Norman BorrettNorman BorrettNorman Francis Borrett was a British field hockey player, rugby union player, cricketer, and squash player who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics. Described in his obituary in The Times as "arguably Britain's most talented post-war all-round amateur sportsman" Norman Borrett was a pupil and...
, and David BrodieDavid Brodie (field hockey)David L. S. Brodie was a British field hockey player who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the British field hockey team, which won the silver medal.-External links:**...
— Field Hockey, Men's Team Competition
- Guy RichardsonGuy RichardsonGuy Colquhoun Richardson was a British rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.Richardson was born at Guildford, Surrey; he was the son of Alexander Richardson, an army officer and Olympic medalist, and his wife Agnes Thackeray...
, Paul MasseyPaul MasseyPaul Mackintosh Orgill Massey was a British rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics and in the 1952 Summer Olympics....
, Alfred MellowsAlfred MellowsAlfred Paul Mellows DFC was a British rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.Mellows was born in Croydon, the son of Alfred John Mellows and his wife Edith Dean. He was educated at Monkton Combe School and at Cambridge University, and was a contemporary of fellow Olympic rower Michael...
, John MeyrickJohn MeyrickSir David John Charlton Meyrick, 4th Baronet was a British agriculturalist and rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics....
, Jack DearloveJack DearloveJack Gilroy Dearlove was an English rower who competed for Great Britain in the 1948 Summer Olympics.In 1948 he was the coxswain of the British boat which won the silver medal in the eights....
, Michael LapageMichael LapageMichael Clement Lapage is a former missionary and English rower who competed for Great Britain in the 1948 Summer Olympics....
, Charles LloydCharles Lloyd (rower)Charles Brian Murray Lloyd was a British rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics and in the 1952 Summer Olympics....
, Christopher BartonChristopher BartonChristopher "Chris" Bertram Ronald Barton is a former British rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.Barton was born at Celbridge, Kildare, Ireland, the son of Captain Frederick Bertram Barton and Joan Aileen Lecky. He was educated at St. Columba's and Jesus College, Cambridge...
, and Ernest BircherErnest BircherErnest Augustus Paul Bircher is a former British rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.Bircher was born at Kensington, London. He was educated at Radley College and Christ's College, Cambridge and in 1948, he was a member of the victorious Cambridge crew in the Boat Race...
— Rowing, Men's Eights
- Julian CreusJulian CreusJulian Creus was a weightlifter from Great Britain. He was born in Lancashire, United Kingdom.He competed for Great Britain in the 1948 Summer Olympics held in London, United Kingdom in the bantamweight event where he finished in second place...
— Weightlifting, Men's Bantamweight
Bronze
- Tebbs Lloyd Johnson — Athletics, Men's 50 km Walk
- Thomas GodwinTommy Godwin (cyclist born 1920)Thomas "Tommy" Charles Godwin was a British track cyclist during the 1940s and 1950s. He held national records and raced abroad. He later became a coach, manager and administrator.-Origins:...
— Cycling, Men's 1.000m Time Trial
- David Ricketts, Wilfred WatersWilfred WatersWilfred Waters was a British racing cyclist, he was one of the top British riders in the 1940s. A member of the South London RC, he competed at many national track events including the Grand Prix of the City of Manchester, where he rode against Reg Harris amongst others. There he also paired up...
, Robert Geldard, and Thomas Godwin — Cycling, Men's 4.000m Team Pursuit
- Arthur Carr, Harry LlewellynHarry LlewellynSir Harry Morton Llewellyn, 3rd Baronet, CBE was a British equestrian champion. He was born in Aberdare, South Wales, the son of a colliery owner, Sir David Llewellyn, 1st Baronet.- Background :...
, and Henry Nicoll — Equestrian, Jumping Team
- Catherine GibsonCatherine GibsonCatherine Brown was a Scottish swimmer. In 2008 she was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.Gibson represented Great Britain at the 1948 Summer Olympic Games, held in London...
— Swimming, Women's 400m Freestyle
- James HallidayJames Halliday (weightlifter)James “Jumping Jim” Halliday is a weightlifter from Great Britain....
— Weightlifting, Men's Lightweight
Athletics
Men's Hammer Throw- Duncan ClarkDuncan Clark (athlete)Duncan McDougall Munro Clark was an Olympic athlete from Scotland. He specialised in the hammer throw events during his career.Clark represented Great Britain in two consecutive Olympic Games, starting in 1948...
- Qualifying Round — 49.76m
- Final Round — 48.35m (→ 11th place)
Men's Team Competition
- Preliminary Round (Group A)
- Lost to Uruguay (17-69)
- Lost to Canada (24-44)
- Lost to Brazil (11-67)
- Lost to Italy (28-49)
- Lost to Hungary (23-60)
- Classification Matches
- 17th/23rd place: Defeated Ireland (46-21)
- 17th/20th place: Lost to China (25-54)
- 19th/20th place: Lost to Egypt (18-50) → 20th place
- Team Roster
Fencing
19 fencers, 16 men and 3 women, represented Great Britain in 1948.Men's foil
Fencing at the 1948 Summer Olympics – Men's foil
The men's foil was one of seven fencing events on the fencing at the 1948 Summer Olympics programme. It was the tenth appearance of the event. The competition was held from August 3, 1948 to August 4, 1948. 63 fencers from 25 nations competed.-Results:...
- Emrys Lloyd
- René PaulRené PaulRené Paul was a British Olympic fencer. He competed at four Olympic Games.-References:...
- Arthur SmithArthur Smith (fencer)Arthur Smith was a British fencer. He competed in the individual and team foil events at the 1948 Summer Olympics.-References:...
Men's team foil
Fencing at the 1948 Summer Olympics – Men's team foil
The men's team foil was one of seven fencing events on the fencing at the 1948 Summer Olympics programme. It was the seventh appearance of the event. The competition was held from July 30, 1948 to July 31, 1948...
- René PaulRené PaulRené Paul was a British Olympic fencer. He competed at four Olympic Games.-References:...
, Arthur SmithArthur Smith (fencer)Arthur Smith was a British fencer. He competed in the individual and team foil events at the 1948 Summer Olympics.-References:...
, Harold CookeHarold CookeHarold Cooke was a British Olympic fencer. He competed in the team foil events at the 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics.-References:...
, Emrys Lloyd, Pierre TurquetPierre TurquetPierre Turquet was a British Olympic fencer. He competed in the team foil event at the 1948 Summer Olympics.-References:...
, Luke WendonLuke WendonLuke Wendon was a British Olympic fencer. He competed at the 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics.-References:...
Men's épée
Fencing at the 1948 Summer Olympics – Men's épée
The men's épée was one of seven fencing events on the fencing at the 1948 Summer Olympics programme. It was the tenth appearance of the event. The competition was held from August 7, 1948 to August 9, 1948. 66 fencers from 25 nations competed.-Results:...
- Ronald ParfittRonald ParfittRonald Parfitt was a British Olympic fencer. He competed in the individual and team épée events at the 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics.-References:...
- Charles de BeaumontCharles de BeaumontCharles de Beaumont was a British Olympic fencer. He competed at the 1936, 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics.-References:...
- Bert Pelling
Men's team épée
Fencing at the 1948 Summer Olympics – Men's team épée
The men's team épée was one of seven fencing events on the fencing at the 1948 Summer Olympics programme. It was the eighth appearance of the event. The competition was held from August 5, 1948 to August 6, 1948...
- Charles de BeaumontCharles de BeaumontCharles de Beaumont was a British Olympic fencer. He competed at the 1936, 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics.-References:...
, Terry BeddardTerry BeddardTerry Beddard was a British Olympic fencer. He competed at the 1936 and 1948 Summer Olympics.-References:...
, Ronald ParfittRonald ParfittRonald Parfitt was a British Olympic fencer. He competed in the individual and team épée events at the 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics.-References:...
, Archibald CraigArchibald CraigArchibald Craig was a British Olympic fencer. He competed at the 1924 and 1948 Summer Olympics.-References:...
, Michael McCreadyMichael McCreadyMichael McCready was a British Olympic fencer. He competed in the team épée event at the 1948 Summer Olympics.-References:...
, Bert Pelling
Men's sabre
Fencing at the 1948 Summer Olympics – Men's sabre
The men's sabre was one of seven fencing events on the fencing at the 1948 Summer Olympics programme. It was the eleventh appearance of the event. The competition was held from August 12, 1948 to August 13, 1948. 60 fencers from 24 nations competed.-Results:...
- Roger TredgoldRoger TredgoldRoger Tredgold was a British Olympic fencer. He competed at the 1936, 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics.-References:...
- Robin BrookRobin BrookRalph Ellis 'Robin' Brook was a British merchant banker. As a fencer, he competed at the 1936 and 1948 Summer Olympics.-References:...
- Arthur PilbrowArthur PilbrowArthur Pilbrow was a British fencer. He competed at the 1936 and 1948 Summer Olympics.-References:...
Men's team sabre
Fencing at the 1948 Summer Olympics – Men's team sabre
The men's team sabre was one of seven fencing events on the fencing at the 1948 Summer Olympics programme. It was the eighth appearance of the event. The competition was held from August 10, 1948 to August 11, 1948...
- Arthur PilbrowArthur PilbrowArthur Pilbrow was a British fencer. He competed at the 1936 and 1948 Summer Olympics.-References:...
, George Moore, Emrys Lloyd, Roger TredgoldRoger TredgoldRoger Tredgold was a British Olympic fencer. He competed at the 1936, 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics.-References:...
, Robin BrookRobin BrookRalph Ellis 'Robin' Brook was a British merchant banker. As a fencer, he competed at the 1936 and 1948 Summer Olympics.-References:...
Women's foil
Fencing at the 1948 Summer Olympics – Women's foil
The women's foil was one of seven fencing events on the fencing at the 1948 Summer Olympics programme. It was the fifth appearance of the event. The competition was held from July 31, 1948 to August 2, 1948. 39 fencers from 15 nations competed.-Results:...
- Mary Glen-HaigMary Glen-HaigDame Mary Alison Glen-Haig DBE is a British fencer who competed in four Olympic games in 1948, 1952, 1956 and 1960. She was born in London, the daughter of William James, a fencer at the 1908 London Olympics...
- Gytte MintonGytte MintonGytte Minton was a British fencer. She competed in the women's individual foil event at the 1948 Summer Olympics.-References:...
- Betty Arbuthnott
Rowing
- Single scullSingle scullA single scull is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for a single person who propels the boat with two oars, one in each hand....
- Anthony RoweAnthony RoweAntony Duncan Rowe was an English rower who competed for Great Britain at the 1948 Summer Olympics and won the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta in 1950...
- Unplaced
- Double scullDouble scullA double scull is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for two persons who propel the boat by sculling with two oars, one in each hand....
- Dickie BurnellDickie BurnellRichard "Dickie" Desborough Burnell was an English rower who competed for Great Britain in the 1948 Summer Olympics.He was born in Henley-on-Thames and died in Wallingford...
, Bert BushnellBert BushnellBertram "Bert" Harold Thomas Bushnell was a British rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics....
- Gold
- Coxless pairCoxless pairA Coxless pair is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for two rowers, who propel the boat with sweep oars.The crew consists of a pair of rowers, each having one oar, one on the stroke side and one on the bow side...
- Ran LaurieRan LaurieWilliam George Ranald Mundell Laurie , known as Ran Laurie, was a British physician, rowing champion and Olympic gold medallist. His younger son is the actor and writer Hugh Laurie.-Rowing career:...
, Jack WilsonJack Wilson (rower)John Hyrne Tucker Wilson, known as Jack Wilson , was a British rowing champion and Olympic gold medallist....
- Gold
- Coxed pairCoxed pairA coxed pair is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for two persons who propel the boat with sweep oars and is steered by a coxswain....
- M B Scott, H B James, DS Walker - Unplaced
- Coxless fourCoxless fourA coxless four is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for four persons who propel the boat with sweep oars.The crew consists of four rowers, each having one oar. There are two rowers on the stroke side and two on the bow side...
- H W Rushmere, PC Kirkpatrick Tom ChristieTom ChristieThomas Hildred Christie is a former doctor and rower who represented Great Britain rowing at the 1948 Summer Olympics and twice won Silver Goblets at Henley Royal Regatta....
, Tony ButcherTony ButcherAnthony Sidney Fairbank "Tony" Butcher is a former Engish rower who competed in the 1948 Olympic Games and won Silver Goblets at Henley Royal Regatta....
- unplaced
- Coxed fourCoxed fourA coxed four is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for four persons who propel the boat with sweep oars and is steered by a cox....
- R M Collins, W W Woodward, W J H Leckie, A J R Purssell, J A D Healey - unplaced
- EightEight (rowing)An Eight is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for eight rowers, who propel the boat with sweep oars, and is steered by a coxswain, or cox....
- Guy RichardsonGuy RichardsonGuy Colquhoun Richardson was a British rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.Richardson was born at Guildford, Surrey; he was the son of Alexander Richardson, an army officer and Olympic medalist, and his wife Agnes Thackeray...
, Paul MasseyPaul MasseyPaul Mackintosh Orgill Massey was a British rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics and in the 1952 Summer Olympics....
, Alfred MellowsAlfred MellowsAlfred Paul Mellows DFC was a British rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.Mellows was born in Croydon, the son of Alfred John Mellows and his wife Edith Dean. He was educated at Monkton Combe School and at Cambridge University, and was a contemporary of fellow Olympic rower Michael...
, John MeyrickJohn MeyrickSir David John Charlton Meyrick, 4th Baronet was a British agriculturalist and rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics....
, Jack DearloveJack DearloveJack Gilroy Dearlove was an English rower who competed for Great Britain in the 1948 Summer Olympics.In 1948 he was the coxswain of the British boat which won the silver medal in the eights....
, Michael LapageMichael LapageMichael Clement Lapage is a former missionary and English rower who competed for Great Britain in the 1948 Summer Olympics....
, Charles LloydCharles Lloyd (rower)Charles Brian Murray Lloyd was a British rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics and in the 1952 Summer Olympics....
, Christopher BartonChristopher BartonChristopher "Chris" Bertram Ronald Barton is a former British rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.Barton was born at Celbridge, Kildare, Ireland, the son of Captain Frederick Bertram Barton and Joan Aileen Lecky. He was educated at St. Columba's and Jesus College, Cambridge...
, Ernest BircherErnest BircherErnest Augustus Paul Bircher is a former British rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.Bircher was born at Kensington, London. He was educated at Radley College and Christ's College, Cambridge and in 1948, he was a member of the victorious Cambridge crew in the Boat Race...
- Silver