A double Olympian and medal-winning swimmer at British, Commonwealth and European level, the sporting community has lost a respected former athlete and coach following the death of John Martin-Dye at the age of 82.

A history maker at the British Championships, John of Sycamore Close, Garston, competed at the 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games, became a national water polo champion and went on to coach at both Watford Swimming Club and Watford Water Polo Club.

Born on May 21, 1940 in Shepherd's Bush, John attended Coverdale Junior and Sloan Grammar School in that area of London.

He was to have a successful career as a textile technologist for Marks & Spencer, working for 28 years at the company’s head office in Baker Street and was awarded an honorary degree by Nottingham University for his services to the textile industry. But John will be best remembered for his achievements in the swimming pool.

Watford Observer: John Martin-Dye competed at the 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games.John Martin-Dye competed at the 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games. (Image: Family collection)

He joined West London Penguin Swimming and Water Polo Club in Hammersmith at the age of eight and 12 years later was to help Britain’s 4x220 yards men’s relay team to fourth in the 1960 Rome Olympics.

The following year he became the first man to win the 110, 220 and 440 yards freestyle in the same year at the national championships in Blackpool, setting a new British record in the 220 yards event in the process.

John’s success continued in 1962 when he won three medals, a silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the European Games in Leipzig, Germany, and two bronzes in the 440 yards and 880 yards freestyle relays at the Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia.

A second appearance at the Olympics followed at the Tokyo Games in 1964, before John, who was also team captain, again won Commonwealth bronze in the 440 yards freestyle relay at the 1966 games in Kingston, Jamaica.

John was also a skilled water polo player, and in between times he scored five of the six goals to help Penguin win the national title 6-5 in 1965.

His involvement in the sports didn’t end with competing though, as he later became coach at Watford Swimming Club and a junior coach at Watford Water Polo Club.

John Martin-Dye died on December 31, 2022. He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. He leaves wife Cordelia, and three children Sarah, Steven and Graham, who has lived in Australia for the past 20 years. He also leaves five grandchildren, Grace and Eva in the UK, and Lachie, Harriet and Sammy in Australia.