George William HUTSON

George Hutson worked for a men’s outfitters upon leaving school, but decided he wanted to be a regular soldier, and signed up with the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1908. He was also the most promising British distance runner of his generation, but his career was cut short when he was killed in action only five weeks after the outbreak of World War I, the first British Olympian to lose his life in the hostilities. He was promoted to sergeant one week before he set sail for France on 12 August 1914, and shortly before leaving, he learnt his wife was expecting their first child. Sadly he was never to see his daughter, as he was killed in action during the Battle of Marne when the Royal Sussex Regiment lost 59 officers and men on the one day.

On the track, Hutson’s greatest achievement came in the 5K at the 1912 Olympics when he finished third behind Hannes Kolehmainen (FIN) and Jean Bouin (FRA), who both shattered the world record. Hutson was the winner of the AAA mile (1914) and the 4 miles (1912-14) and in 1914, set a new British record for the ¾-mile. He also won national titles in Austria and Sweden.

Personal Bests: Mile – 4:22.0 (1914); 2 miles – 9:26.4 (1913); 3000 – 8:55.8 (1912); 3 miles – 14:32.8 (1913); 5000 – 15:07.6 (1912); 4 miles – 19:32.0 (1913).