Ask the Archivist: Harry Whittle, British Olympic Athletics Captain

Born in 1922 Harry lived in Farnworth as a child and was educated at Queen Street Council School, before entering Bolton School in September 1933 with a Foundation Scholarship. He became a member of Manchester House. An all-round sportsman, he not only represented his House at most activities, but also played for the School’s 1st XIs at both cricket and football and was a member of the School gymnastics XIII. It is, however, for his athletic prowess that he is best remembered. At the 1939 Sports Day he won the mile and javelin, came second in the half-mile and high jump and third in the long jump. This was an outstanding performance, but he did even better the following year when he was awarded the Victor Ludorum after winning the mile, the half mile, the long jump and was joint winner of the high jump. Harry left School in July 1940 and began his Civil Engineering Degree at the University of Manchester. He soon made his mark on the sports field, being awarded the Milnes Marshall Medal for the best athlete and was awarded full Maroons (the equivalent of a blue) in both athletics and football, representing the Northern Universities at both sports. He was also the University Athletics Captain. He served with the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) in Italy after leaving University until he was posted to England in 1947 where he began a long career with ICI and joined the Reading Athletic Club. He decided to enter the AAA Championships for the first time that year and reached the finals of both the long jump and the 440 yards hurdles. The problem proved to be that both events were scheduled to start at the same time. Harry’s solution was to win the long jump with his second leap and then sprint across to the final of the hurdles, which he also won! This was the first of seven consecutive victories in the 440 yards hurdles at the AAA Championships, which meant he was the undefeated AAA champion from 1947 through to 1953

when he retired from athletics. All of these victories were won at the former White City Stadium in London, built for the 1908 Summer Olympics. During the period before his retirement, he also became national champion in the 220 yards hurdles, the long jump and the decathlon. Back, L-R: Partington (Scorer), He was first selected for the British JG Banks, A Birtwistle, FK Hoyle, Olympic team in 1948 and represented N Tate, W Cheetham, DM Shaw his country at both the 400 metres Front, L-R: RH Whittle, R Haslam, hurdles and the long jump. He won WB Moores, JR Loxham, FE Sharples his hurdles heat, but in the semi-final missed out on a place in the final by 0.08 seconds. He was placed seventh in the long jump. Two years later he represented England at the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland, New Zealand in no less than four events: the 440 yards hurdles, the 440 yards, the Long jump and the triple Jump. Then in 1952 he captained the British Athletics team at the Helsinki Olympic Games, taking part in the 400 metres hurdles. He reached the final and finished fifth in a time of 53.1 seconds, less than a second slower than bronze medallist. Harry died in 1990 and his Back, L-R: W Holden, H Whittle, achievements were recognised during DC Smith, HP Robinson, W Rothwell the Sports Reunion in July 2015, when Front, L-R: WB Moores, Sir Philip Craven (Class of 1968), BM Gallagher, A Elliott, Harry Whittle, President at the time of both the Mr Poskitt, JG Banks, R Haslam, WB Threlfall International Paralympic Committee and the Old Boltonians’ Association, unveiled ten boards Cambridge, 1953 on the A Corridor of the Boys’ Division which honoured former pupils who had represented their country at Olympic, Paralympic or World level. Harry’s name was naturally among them and it was particularly pleasing that members of his family could attend the event. Harry’s Olympic blazer is on display in the Boys’ Dining Room.

Taking the last hurdle to win the final of the 440 yards hurdles in 54.9 seconds at the AAA Annual Championships at the White City Stadium

If you have a question about the School’s history or would like to donate to the Archive any photographs or artefacts from your time at School, Eric would love to hear from you. E: development@boltonschool.org