Don Finlay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Don Finlay
DFC AFC

Squadron Leader Don Finlay on his Spitfire IIA, 41 Squadron, RAF Hornchurch, November 1940
Personal information
Born	27 May 1909 Christchurch, Hampshire, England
Died	18 April 1970 (aged 60) Great Missenden, England
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	77 kg (170 lb)
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	110 m hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put, javelin throw
Club	Royal Air Force; Milocarian Athletic Club; Surrey AC, Kingston-upon-Thames
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	110 mH – 14.1w (1937), 14.3 (1938) HJ – 1.83 m (1938) LJ – 6.96 m (1938) SP – 11.68 m (1937) JT – 43.23 m (1937)
Medal record Representing  Great Britain Olympic Games Silver 1936 Berlin 110 m hurdles Bronze 1932 Los Angeles 110 m hurdles European Championships Gold 1938 Paris 110 m hurdles British Empire Games Representing  England Gold 1934 London 120 yd hurdles

Group Captain Donald Osborne Finlay (27 May 1909 – 18 April 1970) was a famous British athlete and a brave officer in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He was known for his amazing skills in track and field, especially in hurdles. He also flew fighter planes during World War II.

Don Finlay's Sports Career

Don Finlay was a talented athlete who competed for Great Britain. He was part of the Milocarian Athletic Club and Surrey Athletics Club. He represented his country in three Olympic Games.

Olympic Achievements

Finlay first competed in the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, USA. He won a bronze medal in the 110 metre hurdles race. He also ran in the 4×100 metre relay, where his team finished sixth.

At the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, he did even better. He won a silver medal in the 110 metre hurdles. This showed how much he had improved!

In 1948, the Olympics were held in London. Don Finlay was chosen to be the captain of the British team. He also took the Olympic Oath, a special promise made by athletes. Sadly, he didn't win a medal this time. He hit the last hurdle and fell, which ended his race.

Other Athletics Successes

Don Finlay also won a gold medal at the 1934 British Empire Games. This competition is now called the Commonwealth Games. He won the 120 yards hurdles event. He also competed in the 1950 British Empire Games, finishing fifth.

He was a champion in other sports too. He was the best in the long jump for inter-services competitions. He was also the RAF champion in the high jump. Even at 40 years old, he kept winning titles!

Don Finlay's Military Career

Don Finlay joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1935. He became a pilot and flew amazing planes.

Flying in World War II

During World War II, Finlay flew Spitfire fighter planes. These were very famous British planes. He was a commanding officer of No. 54 Squadron RAF during the Battle of Britain in 1940. This was a very important air battle.

On August 28, 1940, his plane was shot down over Ramsgate. He was injured but recovered. After that, he commanded No. 41 Squadron RAF. He was very brave and shot down several enemy planes. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his bravery.

Later RAF Service

Finlay continued to serve in the RAF. He was promoted to Wing Commander and later to Group Captain. He commanded other squadrons and received the Air Force Cross (AFC). This award was for his great flying skills.

Even after the war, he stayed active in sports. When he was 43, he won every event he entered at an RAF sports meeting! This included hurdles, sprints, high jump, and long jump. He showed that age was just a number for him.

Finlay retired from the RAF in 1959. A stained glass window was later placed in the chapel at RAF Acklington to honor him.

Sadly, Don Finlay was badly injured in a car accident in 1966. He passed away in 1970 at the age of 60.

In 2012, No. 41(R) Squadron honored him. They put special markings on one of their Tornado jets. These markings celebrated Finlay's command of the squadron and his Olympic achievements.