Norman Derham and his Trainer, Folkestone beach

Norman Derham and his Trainer.

Norman Leslie Derham and his Trainer Folkestone Beach, 8th August 1926. Norman Leslie Derham photographed being greased up for a Channel Attempt.

His first attempt started at 5 pm on the 31st of July but was called off after 12 hours into the swim – he was 15 miles from the English coast. 

His second unsuccessful attempt was on the 3rd September; he started at Cap-Gris-Nez and his swim time was 14hrs.

In Across the Straits published by Dover Express, under the section “the successes from France” there is recognition of Norman Leslie Derham’s swim on 16/17th Sept 1926. “Norman Leslie Derham (Southend).won “News of the World” £1,000 prize. He won this prize because he was the first British person to beat Gertrude Ederle’s time of 14hrs 39mins. His time was 13h 57m. Landed St. Margaret’s Bay. Started 2h10m after High Tide at Cap-Gris-Nez, another successful experiment. Accompanied by Folkestone motor fishing boat “Alfred”, Pilot, Charles Joseph Taylor.

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

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