Bownes, Frederick

A torpedo fitter at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. Born 1856 Sheffield, son of Charles Bownes, optical brass turner (spectacle frames), but the family moved to Birmingham when he was a baby and then to London in about 1860 where Frederick became a labourer in a lettertype foundry at age 14 in 1870. He moved to Charlton on marriage to Emma Low in 1880 to become a munitions worker. Died 1928 in Croydon

Frederick W Bownes, Thames long-distance swimmer of Charlton. Captain, Woolwich Swimming Club, Royal Arsenal Swimming Club, and Royal Crescent Swimming Club. Three times came 3rd in the Long-distance Championship of England

He entered The Channel Swimming Race in 1891, cancelled after three days waiting in Dover for conditions to improve. This seems to be his only Channel attempt