Henry Taylor

1885 – 1951

If you get an opportunity to succeed, you need to focus on it.

That was my view.

As a result, I won three Olympic gold medals.

However, it was not an easy journey.

When I was young, my parents died.

As an orphan, I was cared for by family members.

In particular, my brother and sister helped me learn to swim.

It started informally at the Hollinwood Canal, Lancashire.

We all played there and had fun.

But, could it be more than that?

At the age of seven, I won a two-length race.

It was at the public baths in Oldham, Lancashire.

Fortunately, my brother recognized my talent and trained me.

It proved to be the start of my road to the Olympics.

As I grew older, I became stronger.

But, the training facilities were very limited.

Therefore, in my teens, I practised in the Alexandra Park boating lake.

People, out for a sail, were surprised to see me swimming past them.

Eventually, I joined the Chadderton Swimming Club.

That gave me the chance to compete.

So, I was in good form to enter the 1906, interim, Olympic Games.

They were organized by the Greek Government.

We had to swim in the open sea at Phalerum Bay.

That suited me, as I was used to swimming outdoors.

In the 1500 metres, I won the gold medal.

In addition, I was second in the 400 metres.

It was the start of many international events.

My aim was also to become the Champion Swimmer of England.

To do that, I had to win what was known as the ‘Mile Swim’.

In the same year, I broke the record for the 880 yards swim.

I represented Britain in the Olympics between 1906 and 1920.

Focusing on the freestyle events, I won eight medals.

Four of those were gold, one silver and three bronze.

Three of the wins were in world record time.

At the time I competed, only amateurs could enter competitions.

To earn a living, I worked in the mills near Oldham.

But, in 1915, I entered the Royal Navy as an Able Seaman.

The First World War had ruined international competitions.

A far more serious battle had to be fought, against the Germans.

My full-time job in the Royal Navy helped me keep fit.

But, sadly, the Olympic Games planned for 1916 were not held.

Therefore, while at the top of my ability, an opportunity was missed.

However, I participated in the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium.

By then, I was 35 years of age.

I gained a bronze medal in the freestyle relay event.

On my return home, I won the last of my 15 national titles.

Also, I was still playing for the England water polo team.

But, outside of the swimming pool, I found life harder.

I sold my medals to buy a public house business.

However, my money was lost when the business did not succeed.

In retirement, I reflected on my life as a swimmer.

It enabled me to travel and have many friends.

In particular, the Olympic Games were a major part of my life.