Sam Rockett, Brian Johnson BBC, and Major Zirganos at Folkestone Pool.

Folkestone Open Air Pool 1951.  From the left, Sam Rockett,  BBC radio broadcaster Brian Johnson, and Major Jason Zirganos, Greece.

Zirganos wam the Channel in a time of 14hrs 10mins, finishing 13th overall in the 1951 race.

Sam Rockett swam in the 1950 Daily Mail race and was the fourth man to finish. He was Supervisor for the 1951 Daily Mail Race, an International race held in the “Festival of Britain year” and was also supervisor for the Billy Butlin races from 1953 to 1959, and the Sir Billy Butlin long distance walk from John O Groats to Lands End.

He played County Water Polo for a number of Counties. He was author of the book “its Cold in the Channel”

From the Sam Rockett Collection.