Sir Anthony Cleaver sidestroked to victory on an overcast and chilly morning (water 11c, air 9c).
Cup and prizes presented by Tommy's nephew Brian Thomas, joined by many other family members
Sir Anthony Cleaver side-stroked his way to victory and claim the silverware
The Sgt. Thomas memorial cup was first presented in April 1942, 81 years ago. Fourteen-year-old schoolboy Tommy Thomas joined the club in 1936. Early in WW2 he signed-up with the RAF. Sadly, he was tragically killed on active service in 1941, aged 19. The cup also remembers Ted Thomas, Tommy's brother. Though not a racer, Ted was a long term member and supporter of the club.
Tommy's nephew Brian Thomas joined the club at Easter 1967, aged 11.
Tommy Thomas
1941
Brian's sister Julia Hendry presented the cup
Many of the wider Thomas family were present to witness the race. Welcomed by President Rob Ouldcott
Tommy won the All Clothes Race in 1938, aged 16
Thomas Wade Thomas (Tommy) joined the club in 1936, aged 14. Just five years later (on 13 September 1941) he died when his Blenheim bomber crashed on take-off from RAF Watton, Norfolk. All four crew on board were killed plus one airman on the ground. Tommy was a wireless operator/air gunner and is buried in Willesden New Cemetery. In those early years of the war the RAF incurred almost as many casualties in air accidents as in action.
At the time of the crash Tommy’s father was serving in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, his sister in the WAAF, and his brother Ted in the Middlesex Regiment. The following Easter, 1942, the cup was donated to the club to be raced for annually.
Though not a racer, Ted was very active at Serps and often took cine footage of the club's races in the 1970s. Ted passed away in 1984 aged 64 and is also remembered by the race, with his name added to the cup.
Brian, Tommy's nephew, joined the club in April 1967, aged 11. Brian was club President from 2001 to 2004, and Club Secretary from 2009 to 2017. Brian also worked as a lifeguard at the Serpentine Lido in the 1980 and 1981 summer seasons.
The prizes followed a growing theme
Two races this morning.
Slowest first
Four wise old soles chew the cud before taking the plunge (Alan Mitchell, Stanley Ulijaszek, Anthony Cleaver and Eric Carter)
Brian was on Hugo and photography duty, so did not swim in his own fixture
Race underway
Chris Hatcher enters the water
Sir Anthony streaked sideways to victory in the first race (and overall victor against his handicap over the two races)
Race finished, time to chat
Dave McGregor getting the second race underway
Dave missed the "slow race", so had the "honour" of starting the second of the morning's events
Second race back-markers Katie Irvine and Jess Kelly finally get going
Race winner Kezia Jukes stands to watch James Norton touch for third place behind pink hatted Katie Irvine
"From Go" Kezia was six seconds slower than Anthony Cleaver
Racing over for the morning, and competition is even keener for the best spot on the bench
For more background on the cup, and my own reminicences of the club since 1967, please see "the race we missed" report from 2021.
1957, Brian's first visit to the Serpentine
As was the case for most fixtures, in those days the cup winner was presented with a replica to keep. No prizes until the late 1960s.
Thomas Wade Thomas (Tommy), 7 April 1922 - 13 September 1941
Report compiled by Brian Thomas (akwardly writing about his own race)