Gerald Backhouse
Biographical information
| Roles | Competed in Olympic Games |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Full name | Gerald Ian d'Acres•Backhouse |
| Used name | Gerald•Backhouse |
| Born | 6 December 1912 in Terang, Victoria (AUS) |
| Died | 28 December 1941 (aged 29 years 22 days) in Dearham, England (GBR) |
| Measurements | 165 cm / 57 kg |
| Affiliations | St. Stephens Harriers, Mount Waverley (AUS) |
| NOC |  Australia |
Biography
Gerald Backhouse was a talented middle-distance runner who enjoyed success during the 1930s. Backhouse was a three-time Australian champion in the 880 yards (1936–38) and a two-time champion in the mile (1936–37). At the 1936 Berlin Olympics he ran in the 800 and 1,500 metres, finishing eighth in the former. Two years later he won silver in the one-mile race at the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney. Outside of sport Backhouse worked as an insurance clerk before serving as a sergeant in the Royal Australian Air Force. Whilst serving on attachment with the Royal Air Force in England he was killed during a practice bombing flight in Cumberland in December 1941.
Personal Bests: 800 – 1:53.2 (1936); 1500 – unknown; Mile – 4:12.3e (1938).
Results
| Games | Discipline (Sport) / Event | NOC / Team | Pos | Medal | As | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1936 Summer Olympics | Athletics | AUS |
Gerald Backhouse | |||
| 800 metres, Men (Olympic) | 8 | |||||
| 1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) | 7 h3 r1/2 |
List mentions
- Listed in Olympians Who Won a Medal at the British Empire/Commonwealth Games (0–1–0 1938 Sydney ATH silver: 1 mile)
- Listed in Olympians Who Were Killed or Missing in Action or Died as a Result of War (†28 December 1941. Killed in a practice bombing flight in England.)