Name Edward Temme | Role Olympic athlete | |
Died September 26, 1977, Padua, Italy | ||
Edward Harry Temme (16 September 1904 – 26 June 1977) was a London insurance clerk. He was the first man to swim across the English Channel both ways, from France to England on 5 August 1927 and from England to France on 18 August 1934. He was also a water polo player who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics and in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Biography
Temme was born in Stratford Road, Plaistow and died in Padova, Italy. He was a member of the British team in the 1928 tournament. He played all four matches. Eight years later he was part of the British team which finished eighth in the 1936 tournament. He played six matches.
Temme kept his job and trained to cross the English Channel after work and weekends. He was 200 pounds, and 6 feet 2 inches tall. He swam from France to England on August 5, 1927 starting at Gris Nez.