Bevil Gordon D’Urban Rudd

Bevil Rudd was born in Kimberley, into a family closely involved with the De Beers diamond mining company. During his schooling at St Andrew's College in Grahamstown, he excelled both as a student and as an athlete, and he was granted a scholarship for Oxford University. Rudd served in the First World War, and was awarded a Military Cross for bravery: One of the youngest majors in the British Army, Tank Commander and decorated with the Military Cross when ‘as officer commanding six tanks he saved a difficult situation by courage and skill’.

As for his athletic career, 1920 was his most successful year. At the 1920 Olympics, held in Antwerp, Rudd won three medals, one of each color. In the 400 m, he won the gold medal in 49.6 seconds, in a clear victory over Britain's Guy Butler. He added a silver medal in the 4 x 400 m relay with the South African team, and finished third in the 800 m. In addition to his Olympic successes, Rudd became the British champion over 440 yd (402 m) and 880 yd (805 m), and was named best athlete of the year in Great Britain. In 1921, he broke the 440 yd (402 m) World Record.

Rudd completed his studies in England, and returned to South Africa, working as a sports journalist. In 1930, he became an editor for the Daily Telegraph, a position he held until after the Second World War. Shortly after his return to South Africa, he died there at age 53.

St Andrew's College Register: 2200, RUDD, BEVIL GORDON D'URBAN, Son of H.P., Entered January 1908, Left June 1913, b. 5.10.'94, Upper House, Form IV-R.U.C. Senior Prefect. Capt. C.C. XI* (capt). 2nd XV. Ath*, VL '11-'13. SH '08. Mat. '10. Int. '12. 1913 Rhodes Scholar, Trinity Coll., Oxford, B.A. '19; Freshmen's sport record 440 yds. '13, 50 2-5secs.; won Oxford univ. 440 yds. '14, 50 secsl; rep. Oxford v. Cambridge; Great War, Capt; M.C. '17; Pres. O.U.A.C. '19; Record O.U.A.C. sports 440 yds. 49 1/5 secs, '20; capt. of Oxford and Cambridge Univ. Team defeating American Universities in 2 miles Relay race '20; Won 400 metres at Olympic Games, Antwerp, '20; Founder of the Achilles Club; Asst Master, Harrow School '21-'22; Pres. O.A. Club '21; Private Secy. to Lord Birkenhead '22-'24; Business; 2nd Great War, Major (Staff), War Office, London; Rocklands, Main Rd., St. James, Cape Town, '46; died at Kimberley, Feb. 1st, 1948.