Stanley Butler

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameStanley Meredith•Butler
Used nameStanley•Butler
Born5 March 1910 in Lambeth, England (GBR)
Died24 May 1993 in Bromley, England (GBR)
AffiliationsNorwood Paragon CC, South Norwood, Croydon (GBR)
NOC Great Britain

Biography

A naturally talented cyclist, it was unfortunate that Stanley Butler had to compete in the 1932 Olympic road race with the handicap of an injury he picked up while training in Toronto en route to Los Angeles. He still managed to finish 16th, out of 35 starters, as Britain finished fourth in the team event. At a time when racing was banned on Britain’s roads, in between the two World Wars, Butler turned to track racing, and regularly partnered Norwood Paragon teammate Frank Southall, in setting tandem records. Butler also took part in time trials and became one of the country’s leading time triallists in the late-1920s and early-30s. Butler came close to winning the NCU 50-mile Championship in 1939 when he finished second to Belle Vue’s George Fleming. Despite being classed as a ‘veteran’ after World War II, Butler captured the 1950 National 24-hour title and, despite awful conditions, managed to set a new British record of 458.18 miles (737 km).

Butler’s son Keith was the 1962 National amateur road race champion, and in 1964, the professional champion. Stanley’s grandson Gethin was also a good amateur cyclist, and was twice winner of the British Best All-rounder title.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1932 Summer Olympics Cycling Road (Cycling) GBR Stanley Butler
Road Race, Individual, Men (Olympic) 16
Road Race, Team, Men (Olympic) Great Britain 4