Sam Rockett greasing up Major Zirganos

Sam Rockett greasing up Major Zirganos.

He swam the English Channel successfully four times, all swims were France to England. The first in 1949 was recognised independantly, his 1950  and 1951 were both recognised by the Daily Mail, the 4th. swim was recognised by Billy Butlin. In 1959 he attempted the North Channel (Ireland to Scotland) and  he swam for 16hrs.23mins. and was 3 miles from the Scottish Coast when he was taken from the sea exhausted. He died within minutes. A Doctor performed an emergency operation with a pen-knife but could not restore the Heart-beat.

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.