Henry Hawtrey Explained

Henry Hawtrey
Birth Date:29 June 1882
Birth Place:Southampton, England
Death Date:16 November 1961 (aged 79)
Death Place:Aldershot, England
Sport:Athletics
Event:middle-distance
Club:London Athletic Club
Thames Hare and Hounds, Roehampton
Show-Medals:yes

Henry Courtenay Hawtrey (29 June 1882 – 16 November 1961) was a British track and field athlete, winner of 5miles run at the 1906 Summer Olympics.[1]

Biography

Hawtrey born in Southampton, finished second behind Joseph Binks in the AAA Championships 1 mile event at the 1902 AAA Championships.[2]

Before the 1906 Olympic Games, the British were the leading force in long-distance running. Although the most celebrated long-distance runner Alfred Shrubb had turned to professional just before the 1906 "intercalated" Olympics of, the Britons sent a very good team to Athens.

Henry Hawtrey took the lead after 2miles and won easily, beating second-placed runner John Svanberg from Sweden by . The Britons used good teamwork to aid Hawtrey to win, as third-placed Irishman John Daly was disqualified because he blocked the Swedish runner's way several times.

Hawtrey served with the Royal Engineers in the First World War. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 1918 New Year Honours.

He died in 1961 in Aldershot.

Notes and References

  1. Henry Hawtrey . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150122231351/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ha/henry-hawtrey-1.html . 2015-01-22.
  2. News: The Amateur Championships . Gloucestershire Echo . 7 July 1902 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription . 7 July 2024.