Margaret Wellington

Margaret Wellington’s first major title was in 1946 when she beat the holder Vera Ellery to become the Southern Counties 440 yards freestyle champion. In 1947, Wellington was runner-up to Cathie Gibson in the ASA 220 yards, and that same year was part of the bronze medal 4 x 100 metres freestyle Great Britain relay team at the European Championships in Monte Carlo. A year later the British team finished fourth at the London Olympics. Also in 1948, Wellington finished runner-up to Gibson for the second successive year in the ASA 220 freestyle, and was also runner-up in the 440. She had a very productive year in 1950, collecting four medals at the British Empire Games in Auckland. She won silver in the 110 and 440 yards freestyle and 3 x 110y freestyle relay. She also won a bronze medal as part of the England 4 x 110 freestyle relay team. Wellington swam well into her later years, and spent the last six months of her life at the Elizabeth Court Nursing Home in Bexhill-on-Sea, where she died in 2015.