The son of a Durham-born schoolteacher, Wilfred Burne was born in Germany while his father was working there. Between 1928-30 Burne won four Amateur Diving Association (ADA) high-board titles at fancy, graceful and plain diving. He was also a member of the ADA Fancy Diving team, of which he was the display secretary. Burne was educated at Felsted School, where his father taught for a while before going on to become a much-respected London antiques dealer, based in Mayfair. Burne married fellow Olympic diver Doris Grimes in 1930, and shortly afterwards they both turned professional and took part in diving exhibitions around Britain. Like his wife, Burne held an advanced diving teacher’s certificate.
Great Britain