Vale Tom Cross, Olympian

Australian Fencing notes the passing of Tom Cross who represented Australia in the foil team event at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.

Tom was raised in Sydney where he developed his love for the sport, although he later lived in Melbourne and competed for Victoria.

As a young man, Tom moved to London to study fencing and compete in Europe, hoping to make the Australian team for the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. He succeeded, joining teammates Ray Buckingham, Brian McCowage, Rod Steel, David McKenzie and Michael Sichel for the men’s foil team event.

Tom’s daughter Carolyn Wilson says her father was very proud of his fencing achievements. “While training in London and Europe he beat the world foil champion in a club tournament, a Hungarian fellow who apparently didn’t take it very well – so at one point dad was the best swordsman in the world, however brief or unofficial,” Carolyn says.

In 2000 Tom participated in the Sydney Olympic Games torch relay, running with the torch in Brighton, Victoria.

Tom passed away peacefully on 26th April aged 88.