| Date | 27 July 2012 |
|---|---|
| Source | Slough Observer |
| Reference | VP-0030 |
| Volume | Views of the Past |
| Collection | Views of the Past |
Transcript
The Games will shine on
Email Elias with feedback and your memories on observernews@berksmedia.co.uk
WE HAVE recently witnessed the Olympic Torch travelling through Windsor, Slough and Maidenhead. What a magnificent affair that was.
A similar Olympic Torch Relay took place for the 1948 Olympic Games when London was once again the host city. However, this Olympic Torch Relay was a much less grandiose affair due to post-war austerity.
All the torches for the 1948 Games were made by the High Duty Alloys factory in Slough Trading Estate. Some 1,600 torches were manufactured to carry the Olympic Flame from Greece to London.
Each Torchbearer was allowed to keep their torch, which could become an important family heirlooms.
The Olympic Flame arrived at Windsor shortly before 1pm on Thursday, July 29, 1948, just three hours before it was due at the stadium.
The Torch came into Windsor via Windsor Great Park and was carried by Gerry Cranham (of Reading Athletic Club) to the Kings Road roundabout.
The Mayor of Windsor took the Torch and handed it to Gordon ‘Wig’ Wigley, a middle distance runner with the Windsor Harriers. Mr Wigley carried the Torch along Kings Road and Sheet Street and up through the High Street. The Torch was then carried down Thames Street and across Windsor Bridge into Eton High Street.
By this time the Torch had become very hot to the touch and a cloth was wrapped round the base to stop his hands burning.
The Torch was handed over at the Burning Bush at Eton College before travelling onto Slough, where on the Uxbridge Road it was handed over to Charlie McIlvenny – a close friend of Gordon’s – and onwards to London.
Gordon’s family were landlords of the Horse & Groom public house in Castle Hill, Windsor. Gordon went to Windsor Grammar School and later became a teacher and taught in both Slough and Langley.
He was a very keen supporter of the Windsor Rugby Club and his name is perpetuated in an award presented at the club.
Gordon died in March 2010, but the Torch still survives and is held as a precious family treasure.
The original 1948 Olympic Torch, carried by Gordon, is on display at Windsor Museum in The Guildhall, High Street, Windsor.
BURNING BRIGHT: Gordon Wigley carries the 1948 Olympic Flame along Eton High Str
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