William Leonard James Newell (13 July 1913 – 17 August 1994) was a New Zealand

swimmer Swimming is an individual or team racing sport that requires the use of one's entire body to move through water. The sport takes place in pools or open water (e.g., in a sea or lake). Competitive swimming is one of the most popular Olympic ...

who represented his country at the

1938 British Empire Games The 1938 British Empire Games was the third British Empire Games, the event that evolved to become the Commonwealth Games. Held in Sydney, Australia from 5–12 February 1938, they were timed to coincide with Sydney's sesqui-centenary (150 ye ...

Biography

Born in

Christchurch Christchurch ( ; mi, Ōtautahi) is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Canterbury Region. Christchurch lies on the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula on Pegasus Bay. The Avon River / ...

on 13 July 1913, Newell was the son of William Newell and Eliza Lewis Newell (née Richards). Newell won the 440 yards freestyle title at the New Zealand national swimming championships, representing Canterbury, in 1936, 1938, and 1940. He represented New Zealand in the men's 440 yards and 1650 yards freestyle events at the

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

. He finished seventh in his heat of the 440 yards, and did not progress to the final, while in his heat of the 1650 yards he retired. Newell died in Christchurch on 17 August 1994, and his ashes were buried at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in the suburb of Linwood.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Newell, Len 1913 births 1994 deaths Swimmers from Christchurch New Zealand male freestyle swimmers Swimmers at the 1938 British Empire Games Commonwealth Games competitors for New Zealand 20th-century New Zealand people