Harold Hardwick

Harold Hampton Hardwick (14 December 1888 – 22 February 1959) was an Australian freestyle swimmer of the 1900s and 1910s, who won gold in the 4x200 m freestyle relay at the 1912 Summer Olympics. He also won bronze medals in the 400 m and 1500 m freestyle and later became a colonel in the Australian Imperial Force. He was also a professional heavyweight boxing champion of Australia and represented New South Wales in Rugby Union.

Born in Balmain, Sydney, Hardwick began swimming at an early age, and at 11 was winning races. At the age of 16, while attending Fort Street High School, he became public schools champion of Sydney. In 1907, he won the New South Wales 100yd championships in 61.6s. In 1909, he came second at the Australasian Championships in the 100yd and 880yd events, behind Cecil Healy and Frank Beaurepaire respectively. In 1911, Hardwick won the 220yd, 440yd and 880yd freestyle at the Australasian Championships. At the 1911 Festival of Empire Games in London, a precursor of the Commonwealth Games to commemorate the coronation of George V, Hardwick won both the 110yd freestyle and heavyweight boxing. He remained in England for the English Swimming Championships, winning the 100yd, 220yd and 440yd freestyle titles. In 1912, he was selected to represent Australasia at the 1912 Summer Olympics (as Australia and New Zealand sent a combined team), but could not compete in boxing, as it was omitted for the only time in Olympic history.

Hardwick was eliminated in the 100 m freestyle semifinals. In the 400 m freestyle, he won his heat and semifinal, and held the lead in the final for a period before being defeated by Canada's George Hodgson the United Kingdom's Jack Hatfield, earning a bronze medal. In the 1500 m, Hardwick also won his heat and semifinal, and again contested the lead in the final, before being worn down by Hodgson and Hatfield. He then combined with Healy, Leslie Boardman and Malcolm Champion to win the 4x200 m freestyle relay, splitting 2 m 31.2s for the fastest leg of the quartet.

After returning to Australia, Hardwick stopped swimming at international level, and diversified his interests, joining the Manly Surf Club, in which he participated in winning State Championships, and also represented New South Wales in Rugby Union. In 1915, he turned professional in boxing, and promptly claimed the national championship. He then joined the Australian Imperial Force, and eventually rose to the rank of colonel.

Survived by his wife, he died of a coronary occlusion on 22 February 1959 at Rushcutters Bay, and was buried with Anglican rites in an underground Vault in Waverley Cemetery.

References

* [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A140438b.htm ADB biography]