Ernie Webb had a highly unusual and unlikely background for a triple Olympic silver medalist. Born in London’s East End, Webb went to sea at the age of 12 but after some years before the mast, he decided to enlist in the Army. In the Boer War he was in charge of the horses in the retreat from Dundee to Ladysmith, and it was not until after the War that he settled in England for the first time. He took a job in London with Messrs Faulkners and first revealed his walking abilities at the Tobacco Trade Sports. In 1906, at the age of 34, Webb joined Herne Hill Harriers and in his first season of serious competition finished fifth in the AAA 7 mile walk. This marked the beginning of a fine record at the Championships: he won the 7 miles in 1908, scored a double in the 2 and 7 miles in 1909 and 1920, and placed second in the 2 miles in 1908 and 1912. In 1909-10 he won the Harvey Memorial Cup for best Champion of the year. At the 1908 Olympics he finished second to George Larner in both walks and, after spending time in Canada in 1911, returned to challenge for Olympic honors in 1912. Although aged 40, he won his third Olympic silver medal in Stockholm. Webb returned to Canada and died after falling from a ladder at his Toronto home.
Personal Bests: 2 mile Walk – 13:46.6 (1908); 10kmW – 45:15.6 (1912); 7 miles Walk – 51:37.0 (1910); 10 miles Walk – 1-17:31.0 (1908).
Great Britain