André Caby

André Caby, a shoemaker by profession, experienced most of his active swimming career while serving in the military. He was a volunteer in the 43rd Infantry Regiment from 1910-13. In 1911, he drew public attention by winning the 500 metres freestyle and placing second in the 100 metres freestyle at the French Military Swimming Championships. Later that year, he won his first national championship over 1,500 metres free.

In 1912, Caby repeated this success at the swimming championship of the Union des sociétés françaises de sports athlétiques (USFSA), setting French records over 500, 600, 800, 1,000, 1,200, 1,400, and 1,500 metres freestyle in the course of the race. Subsequently, he was selected to represent France at the Stockholm Olympics in the 1,500 metres free but he failed to finish his heat. Later that year, Caby won the 500 and the 1,500 metres at the French championships and the 500 metres at the Military Championship. For unknown reasons, he did not defend his titles in 1913.

With the beginning of World War I, Caby returned to his former regiment with the rank of corporal. In March 1915, it was disclosed that Caby (André) had been killed in Beauséjour on 16 February by a shell fragment that shattered his thigh. The village of Beausejour was the scene of fierce fighting and was completely destroyed and never rebuilt. Caby posthumously remained the 1,500 m record holder with a time of 26:02 until 1921.