A PLAQUE to celebrate the life of Barnsley’s first and only gold medal winner at the Winter Olympics has been unveiled.
Archie Stinchcombe, who only had vision in one eye, did not let his disability scupper his ice hockey career and he was a right-winger on the English team when they triumphed at the 1936 games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
Cudworth History Group’s long-running ambition to have a plaque placed in the village in his memory was first discussed around 20 years ago, and the commemorative plaque was placed on the Barnsley Road home which he was born in on Wednesday.
Father David Nicholson, of nearby St John’s Church, and Mayor of Barnsley Coun Jeff Ennis presided over the unveiling ceremony.
Cliff Gorman, from Cudworth History Group, said: “It’s taken a long time but we’re there. It’s a special thing for the village - he’s the only person in Barnsley to have won gold so a fitting tribute is only right.
“Archie’s story is so interesting as he suffered an accident when he was young and only had vision in one eye, yet he still went on to have a very successful career. “We wanted to coincide the plaque’s unveil with the current Winter Olympics, which are taking place in South Korea.”
Archie, who was inducted into the British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame following his retirement from the sport, was presented with his Olympic medal by Adolf Hitler - although he refused to acknowledge the infamous Nazi Party leader.
Coun Joe Hayward said: “Medallists were meant to salute Hitler but Archie and his team instead faced away and saluted the crowd.
“It’s a fantastic story and it’s fitting to have the plaque on the house where he was born in 1912. It’s not only a proud Cudworth moment, but an achievement that’s never been repeated in Barnsley.”
Described as a rugged player with a powerful shot, Archie was a specialist penalty killer and even captained his country 12 years later at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St Moritz, Switzerland.
He moved to Nottingham and died in 1994, days shy of his 82nd birthday. Jan Bach, who represented Archie’s family at the ceremony, said it was a fitting tribute to a great man.
“Martin, Archie’s son, was too unwell to make the trip from Nottingham but I’ve said I’ll bring him back to Cudworth when he’s better as it’s such a proud moment.
“It’s great to see just how well thought of he still is in the village he was born and grew up in.
“The plaque will serve as a reminder for his great achievements.”
