George A. HAWKINS

After a surprise win in the 200 at the 1908 Olympic Trials, George Hawkins failed to reach the final at the AAA Championships but he unexpectedly placed fourth in the 200 at the Olympics, the first Briton to reach an Olympic sprint final. He was coached by Sam Mussabini, who later trained Harold Abrahams, and in 1908 Hawkins was a member of the Polytechnic team which set a British record for the 4×440 y relay. During World War I he served as a Gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery and was killed in action when a shell exploded in the doorway of a dugout while he was on outpost duty during the Third Battle of Ypres.

Personal Bests: 100y – 10.2 (1908); 200 – 22.4 (1908); 440y – 53.2 (1907).