Charles Oldaker

Charles Oldaker’s gymnastics career was cut short by the outbreak of World War I, when sadly he lost his life during the Battle of Loos, France, in 1915. Prior to becoming a lance sergeant in the Worcestershire Regiment, Oldaker had competed at the 1908 London Olympics, and between 1909-11 was a member of the Birmingham Athletic Institute team that won the Adams Shield, for the British Team Championship, three years in succession. He had also represented England in the International Championships, and was runner-up to Ted Pepper in 1910 English National Championship, held in Birmingham. Like his father Samuel, and brother Charles, Oldaker was a chandelier maker by trade.