Jackie Gibson (athlete)

Jackie Gibson
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  South Africa
British Empire Games
1938 Sydney Marathon

Henry Alfred ("Jackie") Gibson (31 March 1914 in Johannesburg – 15 January 1944)[1] was a South African athlete who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.

He was born in Johannesburg to Henry A. Gibson and Jean F. Gibson.

In 1936 he finished eighth in the Olympic marathon event. At the 1938 Empire Games he won the bronze medal in the marathon competition. He also finished sixth in the 6 miles contest.

Gibson served in the South African Air Force where he reached the rank of Lieutenant in the 25 Squadron.

He died along with the rest of the crew in an aircraft accident when their Lockheed B-34 Ventura II #6026 flew into a hilltop near Eshowe, Natal during bad weather.[2] He was buried in the Stellawood Cemetery in Durban. [1]


Memorial Marathon

In commemoration of his success on the athletics field, the Jackie Gibson Memorial Marathon was inaugurated in 1946 and is the oldest marathon in Johannesburg.

References

  1. 1 2 "Gibson Henry A. (Jackie)". The South African War Graves Project. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  2. ↑ Spring, Ivan (1995). Flying boat: the history of 262 Squadron RAF and the origins of 35 Squadron SAAF.
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