Sam Rockett & Ned Barnie after 1951 Daily Mail Race

The Daily Mail International Swim 1951. The Festival of Britain Year. Sam Rockett, the swim Supervisor congratulates Ned Barnie, recovering after his swim.

Ned Barnie was the first Scotsman to swim the Channel in 1950, time 14hrs 45mins, in the Daily Mail Race. He was the first man to swim it in both directions in 1951; the first swim was England to France, 19hrs 02mins and the second was in the Daily Mail swim in 15hrs 01mins. He made 6 unsuccessful attempts between 1952 to 1956.

Sam Rockett swam in the 1950 Daily Mail race and was the fourth man  to finish. Sam’s time was 14hrs 17mins. He was Supervisor for the 1951 Daily Mail Race, an International race held in the “Festival of Britain year”. He 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”

A Black and White photograph. The Sam Rockett Collection.