Channel swimmers Brewster, Paysour, Fenton, Rising and Barnie at Folkestone

A group of Channel Swimmers at Folkestone Outdoor Pool. Those in the photograph are, from the left. 1)Dr. George Brewster, 2) Bob Paysour 3) Eileen Fenton, 4) Phil Rising, 5) Mrs. Rising, 6)Ned Barnie.

Dr.George Brewster of London, left, has attempted the channel 16 times, from 1925 to 1952, but never succeeded, undoubtably costing him a fortune. Continues to swim in the Channel on weekends, and in the London Serpentine during the weekdays. In 1943 he won the Serpentine Christmas race. In 1947 he swam Brighton pier to pier in a snow storm.

Eileen Fenton was the first lady home in 1950 Daily Mail Swim in a time of 15hrs 31mins. In the 1951 Daily Mail swim she retired after swimming for 12hrs 45mins. She had previously swam Morecambe Bay in 3hrs 44.5 minutes. Eileen is a founder member of the British Long Distance Swimming Association

Robert Frederic Paysor, USA, had two unsuccessful swims, both France- England, 14th August 1952, time 12hrs 15mins, and then swam in the Billy Butlin swim 21st August 1954, time 12hrs 40mins.

He swam 22 miles upstream in the Catawba River, 1950.

Sam Rockett collection