Welsh athlete and surgeon
John Creyghton Ainsworth-Davis (23 April 1895 – 3 January 1976) was a Welsh surgeon and sprint runner who won a gold medal in the 4 × 400 m relay at the 1920 Summer Olympics.[3]
Biography
Ainsworth-Davis studied at Westminster School. During World War I he first served as a captain with the Rifle Brigade and then as pilot in the Royal Flying Corps.
At the 1920 Summer Olympics Ainsworth-Davis ran the third leg for the British 4 × 400 m relay team, which won the event. He also competed in the individual 400 m, to replace Cecil Griffiths who fell ill, and finished fifth.[1][4]
After graduating from University of Cambridge Ainsworth-Davis studied medicine at St. Bartholomew's Hospital and played music at a nightclub to support his family. He could not make time for sport, and retired from competitions after placing fourth in the 440 yards at the 1921 AAA Championships. He became a respected urological surgeon and the Secretary of the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM). During World War II he was head of the surgical division of RAF Hospital Cosford.[1] Later he served as Secretary and President of the Hunterian Society (1958) and Secretary of the RSM.[citation needed]
Ainsworth-Davis married Marguerite C. Wharry in 1920, with whom he had three children: Mary (1923), John Christopher (1924) (an actor/director/author who wrote under the pen name of Christopher Creighton and used the name John Ainsworth in the theatrical world),[5][6] and Jennifer (1930).
