Reg Sutton

At the age of 16, Reg Sutton finished fourth in the 100 yards freestyle at the 1925 Southern Counties Championships. In winning the 100 yards in 58.0 in the triangular match between his club Plaistow, Cambridge University, and the touring Magdeburg club from Germany in 1929, he equalled the Southern Counties record.

Sutton studied medicine at the London University and St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. A member of the Royal College of Surgeons, he later became a GP (general practitioner). In 1930, he had the honour of captaining the British Universities team at the International University Games in Germany. In the early part of his career, Sutton enjoyed some great battles with Norman Brooks and, after finishing second to Brooks in the ASA 100 yards free in 1929 and 1930, Sutton turned the tables by winning the title in 1931. Sutton also won the 220 yards and 440 saltwater titles that year. He won the 220 again in 1932, and further 100 and 440 saltwater titles in 1933. He also won many Southern Counties titles mostly at freestyle, but was also a breaststroke champion.

Sutton set three national freestyle records in 1931; at 100 (54.4), 150 (1:30.0) and 220 yards (2:20.4). The 100 record stood for more than five years. He appeared at three Olympics, and in 1932 was captain of the Great Britain swimming team. In 1936, he was captain of the water polo team. He also competed in both the 1934 British Empire Games (winning silver in the 4x200 freestyle relay) and the European Championships.

As a water polo player, Sutton was a prolific scorer and was a member of the Plaistow team that won the English Championship three years in succession, 1929-31. He also helped Essex beat Gloucestershire to win the County Championship in 1933, and was also captain of the England team. Sutton joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1938.