GORDON HILL: Swimming coach who conquered the Channel

Gordon Hill died on Wednesday, July 11, in Sir Michael Sobell House hospice, aged 83.

His love of swimming began at an early age, when he won a number of trophies with Oxford City Swimming Club, which he would later go on to coach between the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Football and boxing were other sports he enjoyed, but it soon became clear swimming was where his true talent lay.

His first attempt at long-distance swimming was the Brighton Pier to Pier, and he then went on to take part in the Bournemouth Pier to Pier and the Isle of Wight to Southsea swim.

Finally, on what was his third attempt in September 1959, he managed to swim across the English Channel. He went from Cap Gris Nez to St Margaret’s Bay in Kent in 12 hours and 48 minutes.

He also was swimming instructor at Radley College for more than 30 years.

Mr Hill was born in Ealing in May 1929. He father was working there temporarily but the family soon moved back to Oxford.

He grew up in the city centre and was a choirboy at St Ebbe’s Church, attending both morning and evening mass on Sundays.

After leaving school at the age of 14 he became a plumber, fitting his swimming around his work. He trained in the mornings and in the evenings at Hinksey Pool and in the Thames.

At the age of 18 he completed his National Service, winning several national Army championships in the process.

In 1952 he married Jan Smith and the couple’s son Steve said: “Dad was fun-loving and never happier than being on the beach, playing in the sand, swimming and surfing in the sea – even if he would sneak off for a two-hour training swim between the piers and back, but that would only make us more proud.

“He was the father who taught us manners, values and respect for others and to be independent, advice that will stay with us forever.”

His funeral was held at Oxford Crematorium last Thursday.

He is survived by his wife, son Steve and daughter Lyn, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.