Tom Watch & Godfrey Chapman 1951

Dover. Daily Mail International Race 1951. Godfrey Chapman of Great Britain, who came sixth in the race in 12hrs 56mins.  In the boat with him is his swim coach Tom Watch.

Chapman, a member of Weymouth Swimming Club, was the first Englishman home in the 1951 Daily Mail Cross Channel Race, in sixth place, time 12 hrs 56 min’s. He received a silver trophy from President Peron, of the Argentine. He was the first English man to Finish.

He was the winner of the Portland to Weymouth Race in 1950. Winner of all Weymouth Club events 100, 880, 2000, 6000 yards.

Tom Watch, a postman from Weymouth, trained many long distance swimmers and was very successful in getting many of them across the English Channel.

From the Sam Rockett collection.