Frederick Harmer

Frederick Harmer went to Brentwood school and came second in the 100 yards, 440 yards and long jump at the 1902 Public Schools event at Stamford Bridge at the age of 17. Having competed in the 1908 Olympics without success, Harmer won the Essex 300 y hurdles title the first three years the event was held (1911-13).

Harmer joined the London Scottish Territorials on 5 November 1915 but seven weeks later, on New Year’s Day, was on a train travelling to London when it was involved in an horrendous accident that saw 10 people killed and hundreds more injured. Frederick suffered injuries that affected his nervous system and six months later was discharged from the Army and given postings at Warley and Woolwich Barracks. Sadly Frederick passed away in 1919 at the age of 34, two weeks after contracting the Spanish flu during the pandemic of that era. His older brother, Henry, also competed at the 1908 Olympic Games, whilst another older brother, Reginald, fell victim of the Spanish flu 10 weeks after Frederick’s death.

Personal Best: 400H – 60.3 (1908).