Walker, George

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Person

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Walker, George

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Dates of existence

b. 1895

History

George Clarke Walker was born 27 May 1895 in Brackley, Prince Edward Island. George served in World War I and was twice wounded while in France. After returning home, George attended Truro Agriculture College and began a rigorous exercise program to regain his strength. He took up boxing and won the college boxing title in 1921 and 1922 as well as the title of best all-round athlete at the Truro Labour Day track and field meets. To strengthen his badly wounded right leg, George took up bicycling and won the Halifax Herald 45 mile bike race in 1923, 1924 and 1925. In 1924 George won the 105 mile race in Montreal to qualify for the Olympics but later decided not to attend. George also played basketball and rugby in Charlottetown between 1920 and 1925. Also during these years, George won 18 cups, 4 shields and 54 medals in track and field events. George was also a skilled Scottish dancer and won several medals in Highland fling and sword dancing.

Beginning in 1918, George was very active in the Y.M.C.A. in Charlottetown. Between 1925 and 1929, he acted as the physical director in Sherbrooke, Quebec Y.M.C.A. and it was there that George met and married his wife Verna A. Smith of Pownal, Prince Edward Island. The young couple moved to Moosejaw, Saskatchewan and George again acted as the physical director for the Y.M.C.A. between 1929 and 1935. Between 1935 and 1949, George acted as the General Secretary at the Y.M.C.A. in Moosejaw and then held the same position in St. Thomas, Ontario from 1949 until his retirement in 1961.

Following his retirement, George received several honours acknowledging his active lifestyle. On 20 July 1975 George was inducted into the Prince Edward Island Sports Hall of Fame. In 1981 he was named the outstanding senior citizen of St. Thomas. In 1983 George was also inducted as a pioneer of the Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

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RAD22.12A

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Dates of creation, revision and deletion

18 July 2001. Entered into AtoM 22 December 2014.

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Acc2804

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