Frank Perks & Billy Kellingley

Frank Parks 1927, Dover, training for Channel swim

“Frank Perks, the well known Birmingham long distance swimmer, is now at Dover training for his fifth attempt to conquer the Channel. Last year Perks was unfortunate in being carried miles out of his course. He came within a mile of accomplishing the feat and actually had swum forty eight miles when he left the water. The picture shows Mr. Frank Perks using the skipping rope on the front at Dover yesterday as a means of getting fit. Bill Kellingley (trainer) in the background.”. 

Frank Perks made 5 unsuccessful swims; 1923 swam for 11 hrs. 1924 swam for 14hrs 15mins. 1926 9hrs 30mins and 14hrs 28mins. 1928 10hrs 05mins.

William Kellingley was a leading figure in long distance swimming. He was the Brighton one mile Champion, and the winner of the half mile Championship.

He trained Millie Corson, Jabez Wolffe, Miss  Lillian Harrison, an Argentine Distance Swimmer, in 1924, The Zittenfield twins, Frank Perks (who swam for ten hours in his France to England attempt),   and Mrs Myrtil Huddlestone (she swam for 21hrs 13mins, England to France – she still had 7 miles to go to Cap-Gris-Nez). He also trained Edouard Bernat (swam for 15hrs from Shakespeare Beach), Captain George Morris, Miss Eva Morrison, and lastly George Brewster, who later swam in the 1950 Mail Race.

A Black and White Photograph.  From the Sam Rockett collection.