The race celebrates Clare Doyle's long membership of the club, whilst recalling with poignancy the memory of Percy Clears, who joined the club in the 1900s with his three brothers. Percy was killed in action in October 1918 at Harlebeck, Flanders.
Two 200m races. Eric Cater won the first race and took the trophy by being fastest against his handicap. Though he did not win the cup, the second race's Tony Schiemann won hearts and minds with the shallowest and hardest of victories - negotiating his way through the entrance rails to touch first.
Eric Carter, today's victor
A diligent Laure Latham spoke warmly of Clare and her proud campaigning background (photo: Norman Jones)
Floral offering
The story of Percy Clears came to light after the reintroduction of the cup.
Barney Miller stood down from sponsoring the Andean Project 4 x 220-yard relay race after the 2011 event. The club introduced an 880-yard race in its place in 2013 (there was no fixture on the corresponding Saturday in 2012 due to the Olympics). Neil Price, a member since 2003, took on the sponsorship. The Percy Clears cup was one of the trophies that had come back into the club's possession and we decided to use this small, stylish trophy for Neil's race.
In the run-up to the fixture the history of Percy was not apparent. Alan Lacy, who turned 90 just before Neil's race, said he could remember an elderly member called Herbert Clears from when he first joined the club in 1948, but not a Percy. Quite a mystery.
Percy James Clears was one of four brothers who were members of Serpentine SC. His swimming brothers were Arthur E., Herbert H., and D.J. Clears. The brothers were club members between 1901 and 1919, their membership payments being recorded in the Serpentine SC Subscription book from early last century in the following years: Arthur 1901-1912, Herbert 1902-1919, PJ 1904-1918, DJ 1905-09 and 1911-1916.
Percy James Clears was born in Fulham in December 1882. He died aged 36 on 26 October 1918 in West Flanders, Belgium. Percy Clears was a Sapper in the British Army, and served with the Royal Engineers. His burial plot is in West Flanders, Belgium at the Harlebeke New British Cemetery, which is located 32 kilometres east of Leper town centre.
Percy’s brother Herbert H. Clears was a Private with the Tank Corps. Herbert was a prisoner of war from 15 September 1916 until Armistice Day 11 November 1918. Herbert Clears was very much a veteran member when the late Alan Lacy joined the club in 1948.
The Percy Clears memorial cup was originally presented in 1926. Heats were held on Wednesday 2 June with the final on Saturday 5 June. J C L R Brittan won the trophy.
This link will take you to club member John Tierney's marvellous research of 2013 concerning the four Clear's brothers who were members of our club in the Edwardian age -
https://serpentineswimmingclub.com/news/50500/the-percy-j-clears-memorial-race-trophy
Race 1, "on the board"
(photo: Robert Fisher)
Anticipation (photo: Vanessa Marshall)
Eric and Paul at the turn (photo: Norman Jones)
The following crowd were left in their wake (photo: Norman Jones)
Streaking for the finish (photo: Vanessa Marshall)
Congratulations (photo: Norman Jones)
The walk of a winner
(photo: Norman Jones)
And the smile of a victor
Congratulations from Robin (photo: Mike Harris)
Race 2 almost ready to go
Talking tactics. Did Rob Fisher advise Tony on a near-side strategy? (photo: Norman Jones)
Pre-race cuddles for Kiwi (photo: Vanessa Marshall)
(photo: Norman Jones)
(photo: Norman Jones)
Tony Schiemann's dash to the fiish
Tony did not so much run off the rails, he went through the rails (photo: MIke Harris)
(photo: MIke Harris)
Encouragement from all (photo: Vanessa Marshall)
(photo: Norman Jones)
All eyes on Tony
(photo: Norman Jones)
Hug of victory for Eric
(photo: Sophia Holder)
Tony the unscathed
(photo: Lorraine Jones)
Sophia Holder captured them on camera.
Charlie Frith
Robert Fisher
Paul Atherton
Charlotte Hallward
Deirdre Ward
President Laure and immediate past President Rob
Sophia also got in on the act
Clare would never describe herself as an elete swimmer, but she certainly is a determined stayer, as evidenced by her relay participation in crossings of the English Channel and Loch Ness.
On 14 September 2008, Clare and the team made a successful relay crossing of the English Channel in 23 hours and 16 minutes.
The 2010 relay swim of the 23 mile length of Loch Ness was completed in 13 hours and 23 minutes. Clare reported that the Loch Ness monster was nowhere to be seen... was Nessie hiding in plain site?
Loch Ness relay - together for the finish
Sophie Rutenbar, Clare Doyle, Jenny Rice, Kristie McIntyre, Anne MacAlpine, Martha Fray. 5 August 2010. 13 hours 23 minutes (photo: Aaron Sneddon)
Well earned bubbly at the finish
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian, unless credited to individuals)