Today is Armed Forces Day, where we celebrate those who have served their country, either currently or in the past.
Here we take a look at swimmer Percy Courtman, a three time
World Record breaker and double Olympian who was killed during the First World
War.
Percy’s
story
Percy was born on the 14 May 1888 in Chorlton-cum-Hardy,
represented Great Britain in both the 1908, London and 1912, Stockholm Olympics
as well as gaining three World Records.
He competed in the 1908 Olympics in London, but conditions were
tough and Percy did not progress beyond his heats of the 200m breaststroke
race.
Percy returned to Manchester and continued to train and helped out in his father’s estate agents.
He was again selected to represent Great Britain at the 1912 Olympic Games, held in Stockholm, where he won a bronze medal in tough conditions.
Later that year, Percy set world records at 400m and 500m breaststroke distances.
In 1914 he gained the World Record for 200m breaststroke with his time of 2.56.6 being the first recorded swim for 200m under the three minute barrier.
When war broke out he joined the 6th (Hulme) Territorial Battalion of the Manchester Regiment in the autumn of 1914 and after serving time in Egypt was ordered to France in March 1917.
Percy was killed during a shelling on 2 June 1917 in Neuville-Bourjonval, France.
To find out more about Armed Forces Day click here.