Phokion Clias
Clias
British Army leadership started becoming very interested in systematic physical training during the early 1800's. In 1822, the government obtained the services of The Swiss Army Officer and director of gymnastics, Phokion Clias. He was given charge of all physical training in the military and naval schools and was also employed to teach at the Charter House Public School. His theories and methods were largely taken from Guts Muths and other Germans. He got hurt and left England in 1825.
Gymnastics for the army and navy was continued but no very important leaders appeared until the coming of the Swedes. Ehrenhoff and, later, Carl Georgii, in about 1850. Both were graduates of the Swedish Royal Central Institute first inspired by P.H. Ling, and both men opened private institutions in London. The system they taught got the British people asking whether sports and games were sufficient for national fitness or whether the Continental systems had anything offer.