Florence Ilott

Florence Ilott was the first person to run across Westminster Bridge within the twelve chimes of Big Ben at noon.
Running across the bridge before the clock struck noon was a long-standing tradition with unknown origins for staff at the Commons. When Ilott accomplished this feat on 14 April 1934, she was a nineteen year old employed as a catering staff member in the tea room at the House of Commons. A news agency captured the achievement on film and sent it to cinema houses as part of a newsreel.
Ilott was an amateur sprinter with particular success in the 220-yard dash. She died on 31 May 2002.