Vernon Thomas (wrestler)

Vernon Lawrence Walter Thomas (27 August 1914 – 17 November 1957) was a New Zealand wrestler who won a silver medal at the 1938 British Empire Games.

Vernon Thomas

Personal information
Birth name	Vernon Lawrence Walter Thomas
Born	27 August 1914
Died	17 November 1957 (aged 43)
Sport
Country	New Zealand
Sport	Wrestling
Achievements and titles
National finals	Welterweight champion (1935, 1936, 1938) Lightweight champion (1937)
Medal record Representing  New Zealand Men's wrestling British Empire Games 1938 Sydney Lightweight

Biography

Born on 27 August 1914, Thomas was the son of Rubena Birss and her husband Walter Samuel Thomas.[1]

Thomas won four New Zealand national amateur wrestling titles: the welterweight title in 1935,[2] 1936,[3] and 1938;[4] and the lightweight championship in 1937.[5] At the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney, he won the silver medal in the men's lightweight division.[6]

Thomas died on 17 November 1957,[7] and his ashes were buried in Karori Cemetery, Wellington.[8]

References

1. "Birth search: registration number 1914/6947". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
2. "Wrestling". The Press. 30 October 1935. p. 18. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
3. "N.Z. amateur wrestling titles". Northern Advocate. 29 September 1938. p. 3. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
4. "Amateur wrestling: the Dominion championships". Evening Star. 20 September 1938. p. 6. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
5. "Wrestling titles". Evening Star. 29 September 1937. p. 4. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
6. "Vernon Thomas". New Zealand Olympic Committee. 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
7. "Cemeteries search: cremation". Wellington City Council. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
8. "Cemeteries search: ashes burial". Wellington City Council. Retrieved 1 May 2018.