William Hehir

An Irish carpenter and joiner who settled in Dulwich, William Hehir was originally a member of Herne Hill Harriers and finished third in the 1910 Surrey Walking Club’s race over 18m 1320y for the Edward C Webb Cup, He would later win it three years in succession, 1918-20. The following year he finished third in the Surrey WC 25m race, and in 1913 finished second in the Polytechnic London-to-Brighton walk, a distance of over 51 miles. In 1914 he joined the Surrey club and was placed third in both the AAA 2 miles and 7 miles walk that year. After the war he won the 7 miles in 1919, placed second in both the AAA walking events in 1920 and was again second in the 7 miles in 1921. On the road, he won the RWA 20 miles title in 1921 and 1922. Hehir served with the Royal Navy between 1916-18 before switching to the RAF

Personal Bests: 3kmW – 13:29.8e (1920); 2 mile Walk – 14:43.0 (1920); 10kmW – 50:11.8 (1920); 7 mile Walk – 53:23.6 (1919).