Mr Alan Pennington, the famous Wallasey sprinter, who represented Britain at the 1936 Olympics, died in hospital in Lisbon yesterday after being found with gun shot wounds in the head at the Ritz Hotel where he was staying.
He was 45. A pistol and a note were found nearby. Mr Pennington, a barrister, lived at Peaslake, near Shere, Surrey. He was the son of a former Mayor of Wallasey. Councillor John Pennington. who died in 1952. His wife is a sister of comedian Jimmy Edwards.
Mrs. Pennington said last night: "My husband had gone to Lisbon in connection with his business and was due to return in a few days."
Mr Pennington often went abroad on short business trips. His wife and four children remained at home.
At one time he was British quarter mile champion and English native record holder. He won a Blue at Oxford, where he was president of the athletics club.
He also played cricket for Neston and rugby for Birkenhead Park and was a member of Wallasey Golf Club.
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Source - Liverpool Echo - Saturday, 03/06/1961
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