Prizes of growing herbs were presented to the first three in each of the two races, with the Sgt Thomas cup awarded to the swimmer who performed best against their repective handicap. Andrew Fuller of the first race snuck it by four seconds over David Gourgey of the second.
The Sgt. Thomas memorial cup was first presented in April 1942. Fourteen-year-old schoolboy Tommy Thomas joined the club in 1936. Early in WW2 he joined the RAF. 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.
Cup winner Andrew Fuller
Andrew is no stranger to the cup. He won it in 1988 and 2003. (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Seasonal prizes - potted herbs accompanied by an Easter egg
Sgt Thomas Wade Thomas (Tommy) 7 April 1922 - 13 November 1941
Summer, 1941
The Sgt. Tommy Thomas memorial cup was first presented in April 1942, seven months after he was killed on active service. Fourteen-year-old schoolboy Tommy Thomas joined the club in 1936. Early in WW2 he signed-up with the RAF. He was tragically killed when his Bristol Blenheim bomber crashed on take off from RAF Watton, Norfolk on 13 September 1941. He was nineteen. 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.
1957, ten years before formally becoming a club member.
In April 2021, whilst our races were still suspended due to Covid 19, reminiscences across the decades and the 80+ years of the Sgt Thomas cup were shared by Brian. Follow this link for some facinating history:
https://serpentineswimmingclub.com/news/51090/2021-sgt-thomas-cup
Sgt 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 in 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 for an annual memorial race.
Ted was 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.
Brian, Tommy's nephew, joined the club in April 1967, aged 11. Brian was President from 2001-04, and Club Secretary from 2009 to 2017. Brian also worked as a lifeguard at the Serpentine Lido in the 1980 and 1981 seasons.
The first of the morning's two 200m races about to start
The race sponsor took a flyer to ensure he could get out to watch the finish (photo: Mike Barron)
Brother-in-law Walter was on Lewis duty (photo: Julia Hendry)
Robin called the marks
Almost ready (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Kiwi and friend await the race start (photo: Vanessa Marshall)
Back-markers chatted amongst themselves (photo: Lorraine Jones)
The clock ticked on whilst two squatters occupied the board (photo: Vanessa Marshall)
Katerina touched first, but was disqualified for unintentionally starting way before her mark. Backstroking Andrew Fuller can be seen following her home through the steely grey waters.
Standing in judgement with a watchful eye and an accurate timepiece (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Race winner Andrew Fuller (sky blue hat) stands to take stock
An impressive sky (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Race 2 countdown whilst Boris makes a point
(photo: Norman Jones)
Jamal of the first race finished his "extras" just as the second race got underway
An orderly procession at the turn (photo: Norman Jones)
Perhaps not so orderly after all (photo: Norman Jones)
Homeward stretch (photo: Norman Jones)
A happy victor's face from race winner David Gourgy
But no let up in the contest for 10th/11th place - honour at stake (photo: Norman Jones)
Andrew Fuller, four seconds faster against his handicap than David Gourgey
Brian was joined by brother-in-law Walter, nephew Ross, great nephew Harry and sister Julia (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Prior to the prize giving allotment-grown squashes were presented to the morning's two most important people
A big thank you to the handicap team (photo: Sophia Holder)
Big smiles (photo: Robert Fisher)
Past president Norman Jones stood in for Laure Latham to talk of the history behind the beautiful cup
(photo: Sophia Holder)
(photo: Lorraine Jones)
A balancing act for Andrew - cup, jar of honey, herbs and Easter egg (photo: Robert Fisher)
Kezia Studd, second in the first race (photo: Sophia Holder)
Charlie Frith, third of the first (photo: Sophia Holder)
First in the second race, David Gourgey (photo: Sophia Holder)
Deirdre Ward, second race second place (photo: Sophia Holder)
Second race third place for Rob Ouldcott (photo: Robert Ouldcott)
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian and the club's archives, unless credited to individuals)