Outside her Brighton house, a blue plaque will honor a trailblazer female who swam the English Channel first for Britain.
Mercedes Gleitze, a Brighton woman who swam the English Channel in her 8th attempt in 1927, was the first to do so.
She was also the first to swim across the Strait of Gibraltar and the Dardanelles, as well as all over the Isle of Man.
At the time she retired, in 1932, her endurance swimming record was 46 hours.
Mercedes Gleitze was the first Brighton woman who swam the English Channel. It was her eighth attempt, in 1927.
Following her 1927 victory, hoaxes forced her to try a “vindication swim” months later. It was abandoned due to extreme cold.
Outside her Brighton home, a blue plaque has been dedicated to Ms Gleitze
Vindication Swim cast members were present to witness the unveiling
Kirsten Callaghan (center), who played Mercedes in the film, attended the unveiling alongside Director Elliot Hasler(left) and John Locke (“right”).
Mercedes Gleitze, to her right, with Lord Riddell at Charing Cross railway station. London after she completed her successful swim across English Channel.
With a film about the exploits of Ms. Gleitze in progress, there is a renewed interest in her legacy.
Vindication Swim’s cast and crew attended today’s unveiling of blue plaques in Brighton.
The ceremony was attended by actor Kirsten Calaghan who plays Mercedes in the film and John Locke who started his career in The Darkest Hour as well as the Favourite.
Relash Productions spokesmen for the filmmakers and said that Mercedes Gleitze was a celebrity icon from the 1920s. However, it’s hoped the blue plaque along with the biopic about the events around her 1927 swimming will revive her reputation as a trailblazer in female sport.
Following her retirement, she had three children. She died at 80 years old in London’s St. Mary’s Hospital in February 1981.
Mercedes Gleitze, (centre) and Patrick Carey at St Paul’s Church Dover following their marriage, 9th Aug 1930
Mercedes Gleitze in her 1927 attempt to cross Channel.
Following her retirement from the pool, Ms. Gleitze kept secret her swimming exploits from her children.
Even her glamorous sporting career was kept a secret by her children and grandchildren.
Ms. Gleitze, a pioneer of female sport, was capable of feats that would have been impossible for men.
On her eighth attempt in 1927 she was the first Brighton woman who swam the English Channel for 15 hours and 15 mins.