Freddie Tomlins

When he was just 14, Freddie Tomlins took part in the men’s singles at the 1934 British Championships. A year later, he competed in the pairs with Miss J. Ricketts, and their combined age was just 29. Later that year, Tomlins took part in the Olympic trials and, despite being the youngest male competitor, gave one of the finest performances seen by a skater on British ice, which virtually secured his place at the 1936 Games. He took part in the first of four European Championships in the Olympic year, and in 1937 made his début at the World Championships. Having finished no better than fourth in either championship, he then enjoyed a memorable year in 1939, when he was runner-up to Graham Sharp in both Championships. It was the first time, in both, that British men had finished first and second and, as of 2018, that remained the case.

Tomlins’ father was secretary of the Streatham Speed Skating Club, and Freddie became a very talented speed skater, winning titles in the UK and Australia, including the 1938 New South Wales quarter-mile title. After the outbreak of the war, he toured Britain giving exhibitions with his sister Peggy. Tomlins then joined the RAF, and was a pilot officer when he was lost in action during combat with a German U-Boat in the English Channel in 1943. He was just 23 at the time and his body was never recovered. After the War, Peggy remembered her brother by writing a book entitled Freddie Tomlins. His Life on Skates. At the 1936 Olympics, Tomlins is reputed to have broken through the security of the SS Guards to get the autograph of Adolph Hitler.