Page 100 - Mind, Body & Spirit Number 104 2020/21

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The Golden age of APTC Gymnastics: WO2 (QMSI) Nik Stuart, WO2 (CSMI) Jack Pancott and WO2 (CSMI) Dick Gradley
The 1920 Games also saw the Army School of Physical Training facilities used in preparation for the Modern Pentathlon competition; the start of a relationship that continued for many years including in the Olympics themselves. During the 1948 London “Austerity Olympics”, Fox Gymnasium would be used as the venue for the Fencing aspect of the Modern Pentathlon, whilst APTC Staff organised the Basketball competition. One of the 50 basketballs used during the competition was presented to the APTC in recognition of this service and now sits in the RAPTC Museum.
The Post-War Olympics would also be the first in which serving APTC Other Ranks would compete. The rapid expansion of the Army during World War Two and corresponding need for Instructors had seen the fast-track recruitment of many talented sportsman into the Corps, such as the professional footballer and 1936 Olympian WO2 (CSMI) Maurice Edelston. Several of these were selected to compete in 1948 including Major (MAA) G.T Moore in the Fencing competition and Sgt (SI) Bill Nankeville, who came 6th in the final of the 1500m in a time of 3 minutes 52 seconds. The most successful however, was Auxiliary Territorial Service PTI Junior Commander Audrey Williamson, who took silver in the 200m despite only recently having taken up the event.
The most prominent thrust of APTC sporting excellence after the War however, was in gymnastics. Exercises using gymnastic apparatus such as rings, parallel bars and vaulting horses had been a mainstay of Army physical training since the formation of the AGS, with a greater emphasis on floor gymnastics coming into being after 1908. The value of these exercises in maintaining fitness and helping soldiers negotiate the battlefield was made clear in successive physical training manuals produced during the Second World War and was an important feature of the Tough Tactics programme of enhanced physical and assault-course based training.
The War years had seen the recruitment of several prominent gymnasts into the APTC such as SSGT (SSI) Frank Turner, 3 times British Champion in the Post-War years. By the early 1950s a cadre of outstanding gymnasts were based at Aldershot. The Corps had a long traditional of delivering gymnastic performances at the Royal Tournament and these men now organised themselves into a competitive team which dominated British gymnastics in the 1950’s and 60’s. The Army Gymnastic Union won the All-British Gymnastic Team Championship (The Adam Shield) 12 times between 1955-1970. Its greatest performers: WO2 (QMSI) Nik Stuart, WO2 (CSMI) Jack Pancott and WO2 (CSMI) Dick Gradley
would compete on the Olympic stage, as later would WO1 (SMI) William Norgrove.
APTC members were also becoming prominent in non-competitive roles. After participation in 3 Olympics, SSI Turner took on the role of National Olympic Coach at the 1960 Games. Turner was following in a rich tradition of former and serving APTC members utilising their coaching, officiating, physiotherapy and leadership skills for the benefit of both the GB team and the wider Olympic structure. Captain (later Colonel) W.P Bradley-Williams officiated at the 1928 Amsterdam Games, whilst Inspector of Physical Training Brigadier Leslie Wieler and ASPT Commandant Lt Colonel O.G.W White played a major role in organising the 1948 London Games. In later years WO2 (QMSI) Jim Wilson served as Gymnastic judge at the 1980 Moscow Games and Major (MAA) Chic Wilkinson was Physio to the British Biathlon and Nordic Ski teams at the 1988 Calgary Games; many others would fill similar roles.
Shifting Army priorities saw the end of the golden age of APTC gymnastics after the 1970s, but members of the Corps continued to excel in a range of disciplines. SSGT (SSI) G.R Norman and Lt Colonel (MAA) Barry Lillywhite continued the RAPTC tradition in the Modern Pentathlon whilst WO2 (CSMI) Joseph Barnett (weightlifting), Sgt (SI) John McGonigle (Boxing) and Sgt (SI) Bill Tancred MBE (Discus) also competed on the highest stage. Major (MAA) Michael Howard formed part of the British side who took Silver in the Team Epee event In the 1960 Rome Games. APTC involvement was also extending to the Winter Olympics, SSGT (SSI) J Spencer competed in Cross Country Skiing in the 1956 Games and was followed by Major (MAA) Jim Wood MBE BEM in the Biathlon in 1980 and 1984.
The most successful recent Corps Olympian was WO2 (QMSI) Kriss Akabusi who won silver and bronze in the 400m individual and team events in the 1984 and 1992 Games. The 1992 Barcelona Games also saw the participation of the most recent RAPTC Olympian with WO2 (QMSI) David Cox taking part in the Gymnastics event. In the wider Army, former WRAC PTI Sgt Kelly Holmes memorably completed the Middle-Distance double at the 2004 Athens Games.
In the last few decades members of the RAPTC have continued to achieve sporting success but none has competed in the Olympics. This is a result perhaps of the assumption of greater and different responsibilities by the Armed Forces and also of an increased level of professionalisation in the civilian world which has raised the standard to a level beyond all but completely dedicated athletes. Yet the RAPTC remains involved with the Olympics through coaching, judging and organising, most notably at the 2012 London Games; continuing a century-long relationship of skill, endeavour and success.
Maj (MAA) Jim Wood MBE BEM competing in the 1984 Sarajevo Games
Vest wore by WO2 (QMSI) Kriss Akabusi MBE at the 1984 Games