meeting in January 1944. For the first time in their 32 year history, the Centurions had to elect a new president. The position fell to Jack Butler, C2, the obvious choice. In April 1944, a Centurion version of Race Walking Record called ‘Centurion Notes’ was published, giving a summary of Centurion meetings and letters received. A second issue was published in April 1945. Unfortunately, not much is known about these early publications as copies have not yet come to light, but a few copies of ‘The Centurion’ which succeeded it are available. From here the history of the Centurions (except for the races) is rather sketchy as the minute book covering the period 1945-1961 has not been found. Soon after the termination of hostilities the Metropolitan Walking Club set up the long awaited track race that had been discussed and planned as far back as 1937. This event, held on 14th-15th June 1946, was staged at the White City Track, the scene of the famous 1908 and 1909 track races which were so instrumental in the formation of the Centurions. It was also the first 24 hour race to be held in London in the 37 years since those two great events.
It
rained heavily throughout the race and a large part of the track was waterlogged. Of the 26 who started, 4 would complete 100 miles and retire, one of them being Jonnie Henderson, the winner of the last qualifying event in 1937, he was 34 minutes behind the leader at the 100 mile mark. 4 others were to continue for the full 24 hours, the winner being Percy Reading of the Polytechnic Club.
Richardson’s 100 mile time from 1936 and Tom Hammond’s 24 hour distance from 1908 were undisturbed. And so the Centurions gained 7 new members.
He set new figures for 19 hours, 110 miles and 20 hours. Tom Before the start of this
race the Centurions held a short meeting at which the death of Tom Hammond was announced. Tom had been captain from the formation of the Centurions. Earnest Neville C7, was elected to take over the role of captain. In October 1946, a questionnaire was sent to all Centurions seeking their opinion on a new trophy to be purchased by the Society, and also asking for contributions to a maximum of £1.00 for its purchase. Many suggestions for the style and title of this trophy were received. It was eventually decided to purchase a handsome three handled silver cup which would be called ‘The Hammond Cup’ in memory of the late captain. Purchased early in 1948, it was the first real asset to be owned outright by the Centurions and would be presented to the first existing Centurion finishing the 100 miles in 24 hours race. In June 1947, the Surrey Walking Club revived the Brighton and Back. This time it was in the year preceding the Olympic Games and the S.W.C. committee decided to re-start their 4 year cycle, the only difference being that it would be held in the year before instead of following the Olympic Games. (By a lucky chance it means that S.W.C. will be promoting the 100 mile race in their centenary year, although this wasn’t considered at the time.) 28 started the race, in which 15 completed the full distance and 2 were to retire at the 100 mile mark. The Centurions gained 15 new members.
The 2 existing Centurions who both
completed the full distance were, Percy Reading and Tom Richardson, both previous winners on the track, but they had proved to themselves that they could also do it on the road. The winner of the race was Stan Horton of the promoting club, the first person to greet him at the finish was his father, Edgar Horton C63, the winner of the 1921 event. An hour and twenty three minutes later, Edgar Horton was able to congratulate another of his sons, Maurice, in 4th place. So in one event the Horton family had established two firsts in the annals of Centurion history, the first father and son(s) combination and the first brothers to become Centurions. 2 hours after Maurice Horton had finished there was a second brother combination when Frank O’Neill qualified to join his brother Jim C102, who had retired just after the turn at Brighton. In September, the newly qualified Centurions were formally accepted to membership and presented with their badges by the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Bracewell Smith, at a special function held at the Mansion House. This was the first time that a Mansion House Reception
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