Olympic torch bearer dies aged 85
2:46pm Mon 8th Mar 10:: written by Justin Burns
A respected former resident of Windsor and Slough who carried the Olympic torch through Eton in 1948 has passed away.
Gordon 'Wig' Wigley, of Farnham Royal, died aged 85-years-old, on March 2.
Born in Pinner, Middlesex, on July 18, 1924, he settled in Windsor in the 1930s, when his family were landlords of the Horse and Groom pub in Castle Hill.
Gordon attended Windsor Grammar School, now Windsor Boys' School and after the Second World War became a teacher at the former Licensed Victuallers School, in Slough, Ryvers School in Langley and at Iver Heath School.
Gordon was a talented middle distance runner for Windsor Athletics Club, which led to his selection to carry the Olympic torch through the High Street in his hometown of Windsor and Eton, while it was on its way to capital for the London Games.
He is survived by his wife Jill, who he married in 1956, four children and two grandchildren.
His funeral will be held at Slough Crematorium on Friday, March 12 at 2.30pm and afterwards at Farnham Royal Cricket Club. All club members and friends are welcome.
Have your say
Something to say? Leave a comment. Please note comments are moderated before they are published to this website. Add Comment
Comments
Comments on this articleHave your say above
- This man was an enormous influence in my life as a boy of 6 years old, boarding at the Licensed Victuallers’ School by Slough Railway Station (Tesco’s now) in 1950. I certainly will never forget him. His former pupils, and there must have been thousands of them in his extraordinary career, were lucky indeed. His family will be very proud of him. Robert Jeanes. Fairford, Gloucestershire.
- Many great people have carried the Olympic Torch and I am always proud to tell people that one of them, Gordon Wigley, was my teacher. Like so many others I was a pupil at the Licensed Victuallers' School in Slough and have happy memories of a man who was not only a great teacher, but also a friend. Jonathan Styles. Theale, West Berkshire
- I was a in Slough 1950-1956 and I remember Gordon Wigley clearly.I am a northerner and was always an ardent rugby league follower. I remember he paid out of his own pocket for me and a friend John Crooks to go to Wembley for the Barrow v Workington in the RL cup final what an experience for two young boys...that was what the man was like.
- This week I added my comments to those concerning the death of Gordon Wigley who passed away last year (I had only just picked the notification up).I was of course a pupil at the LVS between 1950-56.If anyone reading these comments a pupil also during this time my e/mail addr is brian.newmarch@nwn .co.uk.I would be pleased to hear from you.
Popular links
Local Weather (BBC)
5 day forecast
Photo Gallery
Buy pictures
Business Directory
Search local listings
Traffic Report (BBC)
Road information
Advert Booking
How to advertise
Email This Page
Fill in the text boxes below and click 'Send' to have this article emailed to the given email address.