Page 154 - Mind, Body & Spirit Number 104 2020/21

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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
RAPTC SWIMMING AND WATER POLO
A BRIEF HISTORY OF RAPTC SWIMMING AND WATER POLO
SSgt (SSI) G Laycock RAPTC
Like many sports, swimming has been sadly suspended until it is safe. It has been difficult for all Sporting Secretaries to put together a meaningful
sporting article so I have decided to have a look at a short history of swimming in the Armed Forces and its evolution to the sport we have today.
The Army Swimming Union, formally the Army Swimming Association was formed in 1920 to manage the Army, Regular and Reserve, for all aquatic sporting activities. In 1921 Lieutenant L H Churcher Army Physical Training Staff (APTS) was appointed the first permanent swimming sports Honorary Secretary. The position of Honorary Secretary changed in 1924 to Captain F A Hewat MC APTS. In 1924, the first Inter-Services Swimming Championship Meeting was held and resulted in a tie between the Navy and the Army.
In 1925 the awarding of Swimming Sporting Colours was granted. Qualifying for the award were those who gained first, second or third places in Army Championship individual events. They in turn were granted permission to wear an ASU costume badge.
During the World Wars not a lot of swimming took place and in January 1946 the War Office published a Field Manual to all explaining the need for “Swimming Exercises” and that swimming must become a Military Accomplishment.
In the past, many soldiers have lost their lives through their inability to handle themselves in the water. This has been partly due to a lack of training in methods of swimming and water safety generally, and partly to lack of instruction and practice in the specific military problems of amphibious warfare.
Furthermore, lack of confidence and experience on the part of many soldiers has frequently seriously handicapped or caused the complete failure of attempted manoeuvres. Present-day warfare, with its submarine attacks on troop ships, landings of troops from small boats under fire and battles over flooded areas, across streams and canals, has given a new emphasis to the importance of swimming in the training of a soldier.
It was unquestionable that swimming instruction must be received by all Soldiers, with and without equipment this was to be delivered by the then Army Physical Training Corps (APTC).
In 1955, Warrant Officer T Kennedy APTC attended the first ASA Coaches Course at Sheffield, thereby consolidating the bath side work he had been undertaking on behalf of the Army Team.
In 1955 Sergeant I Goodwin APTC broke the 100 yards Breaststroke record. He then equalled this in the following year.
In 1971, the ASA held their first examinations, both theoretical and practical, for swimming officials and during 1972 the ASU sponsored a foundation course at the Army School of Physical Training (ASPT) of behalf of the Combined Swimming Association.
In 1976 the Long-Distance Swimming event in Lake Bala at Llyn Tegid North Wales was set up. The ASU decided to decline their invitation believing it was better at that time to concentrate efforts on the Indoor Championships. It was quite some time before the event truly became a focused and recognised Inter-Service swim. Capt (MAA) E Martin APTC was the lead, the enthusiastic Army entry organiser and a very regular competitor.
In the 1970s one of the best steps forward was the introduction of the Inter-Unit Single Event Relay Championships. This had been the vision and driving force of Warrant Officer D Cherriman APTC.
In the 1980s, the ASU had developed a good relationship with three Swimming coaches, Warrant Officer M A Gibson and Staff Sergeants I McMechan and A Harley all of the APTC, with Diving coaching provided by Sergeant M G Kempson APTC and Water Polo coaches consisting of Warrant Officer E Martin APTC and former APTC Instructor, Mr I Goodwin.
In 1989, the first Inter-Corps Swimming and Water Polo event was staged at the Arborfield Garrison Pool. In that year, Corps representation was somewhat limited, but after five years this annual autumn meet became popular with the Royal Corps of Signals, REME, the Royal Engineers, the APTC, the Royal Logistics Corps and the Corps of Royal Marines.
Moving into the 1990s to modern day, the APTC Swimmers and coaches were still prevalent with SSgt (SSI) Coulthard APTC as the Army Swimming Coach in 1991 and many others competing and organising events for the Army.
The RAPTC remain the single most involved Corps in Swimming, although not as competitive against the larger Corps. Without the RAPTC, events simply wouldn’t be able to run. From the lion’s share of officials coming from the RAPTC to the Army Secretary Maj (Retd) Irving RAPTC. This should continue as we are the advocates of sport, keeping the traditions of the past and transforming this is into the new training methods of today.
In conducting the research for this article, I realise the role the RAPTC play in sport, as almost the custodians. It has made me proud of the history and the positions that members of the RAPTC have held in Army Swimming and feel that this should help to regrow the swimming members of the RAPTC Swimming Team.