Lewis Cording

Lewis Cording joined the Army as a band boy in the rifle brigade at the age of 14. He subsequently moved to the Royal Flying Corps (later the Royal Air Force (RAF)) and had attained the rank of wing-commander when he retired. Cording was awarded the Military Cross (MC) in 1916 for conspicuous gallantry in action when he led his platoon to capture an enemy trench, despite coming under severe fire in which Coding lost his right arm.

Cording was a fine all-round sportsman and, despite his disability, continued playing his first love of football, where he was a tough-tackling defender, and was a regular member of the Army team. He was also a fine athlete and at the RAF Sports in 1920 won the sprint relay and long jump, and was second in the hurdles and 880 yards.

Seeking a new sporting challenge, Cording took up fencing in 1920, and within a year had reached the semi-finals of the Amateur Foil Championship, only missing out on a place in the final after losing a tie. Cording also competed in the national épée and sabre championships, and reached the sabre semis in 1935. He was also a regular member of the RAF fencing team.

Cording was an excellent organiser and administrator and in 1935 was one of the judges at the annual Royal Tournament. At the 1948 Olympics he officiated as jury president at both individual and team épée matches.