1953 1600 mtrs final race Austria -- RMPA Colchester & East Anglia Branch

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Date Posted: 14:13:07 03/10/17 Fri
Author: John Crook (John's memories)
Subject: 1953 1600 mtrs final race Austria

Hello. My dad, John Crook, served in Klagenfurt from 1951 until 1953 when he was demobbed. John had a major stroke in 2012, completely out of the blue, so apologies if you haven't received a Christmas card since 2011.Don Bastow was someone who I met several times and I remember reading a book he wrote about his time in Austria. We lost my mum in 2007, who he met while serving, she was a teacher at the camp and her maiden name was Marion Hider.
He remembers racing in a final of troops based in Austria, just five days before he was demobbed. He says that he won the 800m final on the Saturday and was due to run the 1600 mtr., the same afternoon but there was a down pour and the race was put back 24 hours, giving him longer to recover. His partner was George Warren who he thinks had run for Young England and who had beaten dad in the 800 and 1600m final the year before.
Although he expected to be beaten by George again he found something on the last lap and hung on to win. He still has the trophy in his room at Cadogan Court, the Masonic home in Exeter where he has been since his stroke. His 6 year old step great grandson is fascinated by the trophy when he visits, it is still pristine. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers him or my mum, and particularly anyone who was at the race.
Philip Crook.

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