Gladys Morcom

Gladys Morcom from Dudley in the English Midlands first emerged into international competition as a fifteen year old when she finished sixth in the final of the 440 yards freestyle at the 1934 British Empire Games. Her best year was the Olympic year of 1936 when she was national champion at both 220 and 440 yards but the Berlin Games proved a disappointment as she was eliminated in the heats.

After retiring from competition she remained active in the sport for another forty years. Morcom coached both swimming and diving at Heath Town Swimming Club from 1949 onwards and was also the swimming teacher at Parkfields High School in Wolverhampton.