Robert Badman

A wool manufacturer’s agent by profession, Robert Badman was born in Thailand (then Siam) while his father was working with the East Indian Company. The family returned to live in England towards the end of the 19th century and, despite having Somerset roots, Badman’s father relocated the family to London.

Badman junior was a sergeant in the Queen’s Westminster Rifles and was a member of their School of Arms. He was a fine exponent of the sabre and took part in the individual event at the 1908 London Olympics. Badman never won the Amateur Sabre Championship, and the nearest he came was in 1909 when he reached the final pool, which was won by William Marsh for a second successive year. Badman reached the final pool again in 1911 and, on that occasion, Bill Hammond won the first of his three titles. Badman died in 1914 at the age of 32.