Dorothy Scouler 1910-1972

Dorothy was born in August 1910 in the Parish of Cosgrove.  Unfortunately her mother, Alice Jubilee Scouler, died shortly after her birth.  Dorothy lived with her Grandparents, William and Elizabeth Panter, of Ivy Cottage, Watling Street Old Stratford. This was situated between The Swan and the Cosgrove Road.  William had bought the freehold of the cottage in 1905 for £300 (ref Wolverton Express 8 Sept 1905)  Also living there were for of her mother’s brothers and sisters.  Her father, John Scouler, a native of Scotland, moved to Canada

William had previously been a coal dealer but was listed in the 1911 census as a cattle dealer and grazier.

Dorothy went to school at York House in Stony Stratford. (Ref Bucks Standard September 1926).  This establishment was originally in the building that is now the conservative club in the High Street in Stony Stratford – then called York House.  It moved, in 1905 to Clarence House in London Road bringing the name “York House” with them.  It was a private day and boarding school for girls.  The principle was Mrs Slade assisted by her 2 daughters

Dorothy didn’t take running seriously until she was about 14. However, in  1925 she entered a  competition in Luton and won.  From then her commitment to the sport grew.  She then attended trails at Middlesex Ladies Athletics Club and gained a membership there.  The club was co-founded by Vera Maud Palmer and became one of the most prestigious for women athletes.  In their early days events were held mainly in London parks, like Battersea, Regent’s and Victoria.

Slottsskogsvallen Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden.  This picture was provided to Wiki Commons by Gothenburg Museums and Art Gallery and is in the public domain

Dorothy’s performances improved over the next year or so and in 1926 she was selected to represent Great Britain at the Women’s Olympic Games in Gothenberg, Sweden.

In August 1926, in the same week she turned 16, Dorothy Scouler arrived in Gothenburg, Sweden, to take part in the 1926 Women’s World Games, at the Slottsskogsvallen Stadium.  She was accompanied by her aunt, who acted as a chaperone.

These games were the forerunner of the Olympics for women athletes.  It was not until 1928 that they were allowed to compete at the official Olympic Games.  Click Here to view British Pathe Film showing footage from the games

Dorothy ran  in the 4 x 100 yard relay team along with Florence Haynes, Eileen Edwards and Rose Thompson.  They produced a winning time of 49.8 seconds, breaking the world record for the event.

In the late 1920s Dorothy’s grandfather, William Panter, took on Bridge Farm in Deanshanger.  The Panter family ran Bridge Farm until the 1960s.  Dorothy lived with the family.  In 1935 she married William Hawtin, from Eastcote (north of Towcester) The ceremony was at Cosgrove Parish Church

Dorothy and William went on to live at Yew Tree Farm, Caldecote (North of Towcester).  They had 7 children, 4 girls and 3 boys.  She died in 1972 and William lived on until 1992