John Somers

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJohn Percy•Somers
Used nameJohn•Somers
Born12 July 1874 in Hampstead, England (GBR)
Died3 November 1942 in Hook Norton, England (GBR)
NOC Great Britain

Biography

John Somers was educated at Clifton and Eastbourne Colleges, before going to Pembroke College Cambridge, from where he became a solicitor in 1898. He joined the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps and served in the second Boer War (1899-1902) as a private with the City of London Imperial Volunteers (CIV) Cycling Corps. Somers then served as a lieutenant with the 14th Middlesex (Inns of Court) Volunteer Rifle Corps in World War I, and was an instructor at the School of Musketry. He was awarded the OBE in the 1919 New Year’s Honours list and was mentioned in the Secretary of State’s List for performing valuable services. He joined the Home Guard during World War II and was commander of the Hook Norton platoon

Somers enjoyed many successes with the Inns of Court Rifles and won the Attorney-General’s Cup in 1903 and 1907. He also competed at the Bisley Meeting and took part in the King’s Prize. Somers was involved in four England teams in the National match. He was a reserve in 1907, played in 1910, and was adjutant to the two winning teams in 1913 and 1914.

John’s bother Charles also went to Pembroke College and was also a fine rifle shooter. The two siblings were in the England team that won the MacKinnon Cup match in 1912, when Charles was the top scorer. The brothers were in the team again the following year, but were not on the winning side.

Somers was the son of a wealthy London corn merchant and was one of the beneficiaries of his father’s will in 1897, receiving a share of the estate valued at £157,691. That was equivalent to more than £20 million in 2020.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1912 Summer Olympics Shooting GBR John Somers
Military Rifle, Three Positions, 300 metres, Men (Olympic) 54
Military Rifle, Any Position, 600 metres, Men (Olympic) 46