Thomas Summers

Background

He was born in Newport, South Wales, the son of Edwin Charles Summers.

Career

From an early age he was a well-known figure in Newport Swimming Club, becoming known as Tony the Diver and featuring in a 1930 British Pathè film. During World World War II, Summers joined 136 Squadron Royal Air Force in 1944 (later 152 Squadron) and flew Spitfires and Tempests in India and the Far East. On his release from the Royal Air Force in 1947, Summers started training for the London Olympics of 1948.

He had originally aimed to swim in the Olympics of 1940 and 1944, but war had intervened.

Summers worked as an engineer for the Air Ministry and for British Nuclear Fuels, before joining the Forestry Commission where he became Commissioning Engineer for Wales. Summers died on 21 November 2013.

Achievements

• He represented Great Britain for Men"s 100 Metre Backstroke, where his heat was won by the eventual gold medallist, Allen Stack. He continued to swim competitively until shortly before his death and achieved many Welsh and British records in older age groups.