Austin Playfoot

Austin was a Torchbearer in 1948. Each athletics club in the areas the Flame passed through on its journey to Wembley nominated one runner. Godalming & District Athletic Club nominated Austin and he carried the Flame on 29 July 1948 from the Horse & Groom pub in Merrow to the Municipal Offices in Guildford, a distance of 1.8 miles. Austin continued to compete for the club, which in 1952 become Guildford & Godalming Athletic Club. When Austin retired from competition he qualified as an athletics track judge and for the last 40 years has travelled throughout the south of England officiating at track events, cross country and road races. He still has close connections with the Guildford & Godalming AC and was their club President for 22 years. In 1960, in memory of carrying the Flame, Austin and his wife named their first and only home, Torch Cottage.