Thomas Burman

Biographical information

RolesReferee
SexMale
Full nameThomas•Burman
Used nameThomas•Burman
Born1 January 1869 in Great Barr, England (GBR)
Died18 February 1956 in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England (GBR)
NOC Great Britain

Biography

Thomas Burman joined the family motor accessory company Burman and Sons Ltd of King’s Norton in 1886. He spent 70 years with the company and became managing director in 1897 and, following the death of his brother in 1941, became chairman.

Birman died in 1956 and left over £380,000 in his will. In recognition of the poor pay received by Church of England clergy, he left £10,000 to two local churches to pay vicars’ wages, and left a similar sum to a local church school.

A hockey umpire for many years, Burman was the honorary secretary of the Midland Counties’ Hockey Association from 1896-1903 and was also a member of the Hockey Association from 1903 until his death. Burman served on the international selection committee, and in 1910 was elected on to the International Hockey Board and within two years was its chairman, and later a vice-president. He officiated in four matches at two Olympics, 1908 and 1920.

Referee

Games Sport (Discipline) / Event NOC / Team Phase Unit Role As
1908 Summer Olympics Hockey GBR Thomas Burman
Hockey, Men (Olympic) Round One England — France Umpire 2
1920 Summer Olympics Hockey GBR Thomas Burman
Hockey, Men (Olympic) Round-Robin Great Britain — Denmark Umpire 1
Hockey, Men (Olympic) Round-Robin Belgium — France Umpire 1
Hockey, Men (Olympic) Round-Robin Great Britain — Belgium Umpire 1