Trevor Harrop

Trevor Harrop was born in Canada, but moved to Motherwell when he was seven, after his parents returned to Scotland to look after Harrop’s ailing grandparents. Harrop and his brother used to attend the Motherwell baths, largely because the family home lacked a bathroom. Trevor soon showed a talent for swimming, and at 13 won the Motherwell & Wishaw School Boys’ Championship at 80 yards. Harrop represented Dalziel High School in local galas, and then went on to compete at a national level.

A dental student in 1948, Harrop finished third behind Ron Stedman and Pat Kendall in the 100 metres freestyle at the Olympic trial at Scarborough, and got the call-up to join the Great Britain squad. Unfortunately, his parents had returned to Canada early in 1948, and missed their son’s appearance in the Empire Pool.

Harrop also returned to Canada, in 1950, and obtained a degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax before setting up a dental practice in Campbell River. Harrop later helped set up the dental school at the University of British Columbia, where he worked for 25 years. He used to spend his summer months at New Denver, British Columbia, and settled there permanently when he eventually retired.