Donald Finlay

Donald Osborne Finlay (27 May 1909 – 18 April 1970) was a British athlete who competed mainly in the 110 metre hurdles.

He ran for Great Britain in three Olympics both pre- and post-World War II. He first competed in the 1932 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, United States in the 110 metre hurdles where he won the bronze medal, four years later he returned to the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, Germany where he improved to win the silver medal [ [http://www.boa.org.uk/athleterecord.aspx?at=1256 British Olympic Association > Athletes > Donald Osborne Finlay ] ] . He was the British Team Captain in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London and was chosen to take the Olympic Oath [ [http://olympic-museum.de/oath/theoath.htm Olympic oath ] ] , though he failed to win any medals in these games. [ [http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/past/index_uk.asp?OLGT=1&OLGY=1948 IOC 1948 Summer Olympics] ]

He joined the RAF in 1935, and during World War II initially flew Spitfires with No. 54 Squadron during the Battle of Britain before being wounded and later commanding No. 41 Squadron. He was promoted to the rank of Wing Commander in August 1941, becoming 11 Group Engineering Officer. He received the DFC in June 1942. His victory tally flying fighters was 4 and 2 shared destroyed, 3 and 1 shared damaged.

He then commanded 608 Squadron, flying Lockheed Hudsons in the Middle East in 1943. In 1945 he commanded 906 Wing in Burma, being awarded an AFC. He became a Group captain in 1950. He was stationed for much of his time at RAF Acklington, whose chapel contains a recently dedicated stained glass window to honour him. As a Group Captain he was posted to No1 School of Technical Training, RAF Halton, as Senior Technical Training Officer. He regularly took part in the station sports meeting and even at the age of 43 won every event he entered: 100x Hurdles,100x,220x,High Jump,Long Jump and the Veteran's (over 40)Handicap,in which he took the offered three yard start!

References