Skater.
Born at Winnipeg on 20 April 1928 to Elizabeth Jane Croasdell (1884-1947) and Thomas William Audley (1882-1962), he won his first speed-skating competition at the age of ten, at Winnipeg, setting Manitoba records in both the 110- and 220-yard events. He went on to garner major achievements in the sport through the 1940s, in both provincial and Canadian championships. In 1948, he represented Canada at the Olympics at Saint Moritz, Switzerland. That year, he also married Grace Colleen Mackenzie (1927-2006), and they went on to have two children.
He carried the flag for Canada at the opening ceremonies of the Oslo Olympic Games in 1952, and won the bronze medal in the 500-metre speed skating event, vying against 41 other competitors. In 1956, he again participated in the Olympics, this time at Cortina, Italy, where he set a new world record in the 1500-metre event.
After winning the Senior Class in the Manitoba Speed Skating Championship in 1957, he and his family moved to Long Beach, California, where he worked for the Auto Club for 29 years. In 1960, he served as an official at the Squaw Valley Olympic Games in California. He was inducted into the Manitoba Speed Skating Hall of Fame (1966) and Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame (1988).
He died on 1 October 2012 and was buried in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park at Orange County, California.
“Gordon Vernon Audley,” Family AA, Audley of Liverpool, Audley Family History.
This page was prepared by Lois Braun.
Page revised: 7 January 2026
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