Westminster alumnus who is one of Britain’s first Black athletes to win an Olympic medal honoured with commemorative plaque

John Edward London, also known as Jack London or Jack Edwards, was the first Black athlete to win a silver in the 100-metre race for Britain. Jack was born in Guyana and spent some of his childhood in Jesmond, Newcastle with his mother and aunt after moving to London with his parents so that his father, a teacher and church minister, could pursue medicine. He joined the running team at Regent Street Polytechnic, predecessor to the University of Westminster, called the Polytechnic Harriers, which has historical ties to what is now the London Marathon. He was coached by Sam Mussabini and Albert Hill and became captain of the club in 1922. Jack was the first Briton to use starting blocks rather than digging footholds into the track.

The plaque was installed by the Newcastle City Council after receiving a nomination from Historic England supported by the North East of England African Community Association (NEEACA). The plaque was unveiled by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councilor Henry Gallagher, who stated that although Jack spent most of his formative years in London, he stayed in Newcastle for a small period, and for that he claims Jack as one of his own.

Photo Credit: Newcastle City Council

Jack was not only a renowned athlete, but he also delved into the world of entertainment after retirement, where he was a pianist in the original cast of Noël Coward’s musical Cavalcade and appeared in Will Hay's Gainsborough Pictures comedy Old Bones of the River. He then later worked at London’s St Pancras Hospital as a porter.

When he passed away in 1966, his achievements went unnoticed until his great niece put his Olympic medals, as well as two relay batons, for auction in 2019. The collection sold for more than double their estimated value, making headlines across the UK.

On behalf of the Alumni team, Jennier Stubberfield, Senior Alumni Communications Officer at Westminster said: “We are incredibly proud to call Jack London an alumnus of the University and delighted that his legacy is being commemorated. An outstanding athlete and Olympian, Jack is an inspiration to our students and forever a celebrated member of the Westminster community.”

Find out more about Black History Year at the University of Westminster.

Councillor Henry Gallagher (Deputy Lord Mayor of Newcastle), Don O’Meara (Historic England) and Beverley Prevatt Goldstein (NEEACA). Photo Credit: Newcastle City Council.