Bill Lucas

The War years deprived Bill Lucas of two possible Olympic appearances, in 1940 and 1944, but, when he did make his début at the age of 31 in 1948, he had already engaged in 81 flying missions over Germany during World War II. Lucas served with the RAF for six years, attaining the rank of Squadron leader, and on his missed Olympics he once said: “Hitler deprived me of those, so I went and bombed them instead.” He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and was mentioned in despatches.

After the War Lucas worked in insurance and returned to serious running. A member of the Belgrave Harriers club for more than 80 years, he represented Great Britain on three occasions, and England twice. He took part in the AAA 3-mile Championship four times between 1946-50, with third being his best finish in both 1947 and 1948. He was three times a member of the Belgrave club that won the London-Brighton relay. He continued running until 1955 and then took up various posts within the sport, including team manager of the Belgrave Harriers’ road running and cross-country team, and manager of the Surrey Inter-Counties Cross-country championship-winning team. He was also well known as a judge, referee and, famously at the White City, as a trackside announcer, and in 1957 he commentated on Derek Ibbotson’s world mile record. Lucas was also president of Belgrave Harriers, and vice-president of the AAA.

Just two months before his 100th birthday, Lucas was involved in a car accident, which involved him being cut out of the vehicle. At the time of his death in 2018, he was not only the oldest living British Olympian, but was also the oldest living Bomber Command pilot, and was still a prominent member of the Royal Air Force and Aircrew Associations.

Personal Bests: 3 miles – 14:11.6 (1950); 5000m – 14:56.8 (1950)