Richard Jeffery

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameRichard Robert•Jeffery
Used nameRichard•Jeffery
Born24 November 1917 in Bedfordshire, England (GBR)
Died9 October 1953 in St Davids, Wales (GBR)
AffiliationsRoyal Air Force, (GBR)
NOC Great Britain

Biography

Having competed in the 1947 World Bobsleigh Championships, squadron leader Richard Jeffery was chosen for the St. Moritz Winter Olympics the following year. He competed in the 4-man Great Britain II team, made up entirely of RAF men (as was the Great Britain I squad). The crew finished 15th and last, also finishing last on three of their four runs.

Sadly, Jeffery lost his life at a young age, when he was killed in a plane crash in 1953. A flying instructor at the time, he had concluded a lesson in his 2-man de Havilland Mosquito, and while it was coming in for a routine landing at Brawdy Aerodrome, St. David’s, Pembrokeshire, it struck a chimney on a workshop on its approach. It crashed and burst into flames, killing the two occupants instantly.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1948 Winter Olympics Bobsleigh (Bobsleigh) GBR Richard Jeffery
Four, Men (Olympic) Great Britain 2 15

Special Notes