Kathleen Thomas
 

To commemorate the 80 anniversary
of the first swim of the Bristol Channel
from Penarth to Weston-super-Mare
on the 5 September 1927 in a time of
7 hours 20 minutes by
Miss KATHLEEN THOMAS
age 21 years of Penarth.

Erected by Weston-super-Mare
Town Council 5 September 2007
  Born in South Africa, Kathleen’s family fled the Boer War to settle in South Wales.

Always keen on sport she became determined to try a spectacular swim, and decided on a crossing of the Bristol Channel.

She entered the water at Penarth on 5th September 1927 aged 21.

Seven hours and 20 minutes later she emerged at Anchor Head.

She moved to London where she taught children to swim and, as a result, was barred from competing in the 1928 Olympics as she was considered a professional.

Anchor Head
  She married in 1931 and had four children.

On her death her ashes were cast into the Bristol Channel.

Plaque on the sea wall at Anchor Head.