Guernsey marks 100th anniversary of Olympian's win

Sir Philip Neame served as Lieutenant-Governor immediately after Guernsey's occupation during World War Two

Guernsey has marked the 100th anniversary of the Olympic gold medal win of a former Lieutenant-Governor.

Lt Gen Sir Philip Neame VC, from Faversham, Kent, won the medal at a shooting competition in the 1924 Paris Olympics, the Office of the Lieutenant-Governor Guernsey said.

It added that he was the only person ever to be awarded both the Victoria Cross (VC) and an Olympic gold medal.

Current Lieutenant-Governor Lt Gen Richard Cripwell said he hoped the island's three athletes competing in the 2024 Olympics would be "inspired" by his predecessor's success.

'Remarkable man'

Bailiwick athletes Alastair Chalmers, Heather Watson and Carl Hester are all taking part in this year's Olympics in the French capital.

Gen Cripwell said Neame, who served as Lieutenant-Governor after the bailiwick's occupation during World War Two, from 1945-1953, was a "remarkable man".

"His life read like an adventure story," he said.

"Nine years later, for example, he managed to get himself badly mauled by a tiger in India, although it did have a happy ending.

"He married his nurse, who became Lady Neame, and [she] gave birth to twins here in Guernsey in 1946."