Percy and Ernest Cavill
The Cavill family of Australia is known for its significant contributions to the development of the sport of swimming.
Ernest Cavill was the eldest son of Frederick Cavill and was part of the Cavill Family from Australia that was collectively inducted as Honour Swimmers in 1967 in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame and in the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
'Ernie Cavill' set a world record for the 1000-yard freestyle and won a "World Title" series against American champion McCusker in England. In 1888, he set the 1000-yard freestyle world record with a time of 14 minutes, 41 seconds.
The Cavill Family consists of two generations of six colorful champion swimmers (1897 – 1938) who promoted swimming and set national and regional records including father Frederick Cavill, and sons Ernest Cavill, Charles Cavill, Percy Cavill, Arthur Cavill, Sydney Cavill and Dick Cavill.
January 22, 1898:—Ernest Cavill (champion of Australia and America) leaves London by the Castle line steamer Hawarden Castle for Cape Town to-day (Saturday) with the intention of competing for the championship of South Africa. He is accompanied on his way by Mr. Frank Rhodes.
Return of a Famous Swimmer.
Kalgoorlie Western Argus - 1 February 1900, page 11
After an absence of over two years from Sydney, Percy Cavill, the famous Australasian champion swimmer, has returned to his home, looking taller and heavier than ever, and the picture of rugged health.
The returned champion had visited all parts of Great Britain, spent months in France and Spain, and even went to South Africa, giving exhibitions of his wonderful powers in the water. "I went out to Cape Town, where my eldest brother Ernie, one-time champion of Australia, is doing fairly well, but never engages in matches. He carries too much tissue for..that. I stayed there five months, and was very ' successful in teaching, but could arrange np contests, as none of the.South African nswimmers would hear of a -meeting. My fame had preceded me.
