1926 Index
| March 1926 | Eton Excelsior ~ A New Racing Eight Required |
| Friday 27th August, 1926 | Eton Excelsior R.C. Regatta – Successful Afternoon’s Sport |
| July 1926 | Staines Regatta ~ Excellent Performance by Eton Excelsior RC |
| August 1926 | Eton Excelsior Regatta |
| date 4 | article 4 |
| date 5 | article 5 |
| date 6 | article 6 |
A New Racing Eight Required
March 1926
At the annual meeting of the Eton Excelsior R.C., on Monday last, at the Bridge House Hotel, Mr. A. H. Dyson initiated an interesting discussion on the reasons for non-success at up-river regattas, etc. He said that from all the accounts he read of the races in which the Club took part last season, it would seem that the crews led for three-parts of the course, and were then overtaken. He thought that the members ought to take longer rows at the beginning of the season, which would, he thought, largely obviate this state of affairs.
Mr. HOBBS supported these remarks.
Mr. HORLOCK said the Club were also handicapped by the fact that they required a new racing eight. He thought they might issue an appeal for money to purchase a new eight. They had not got a fast boat, and they had to rely on the present eight for the laurels of the Club. With a new boat he thought they might gain more successes, which would be the means of attracting more members to the Club (applause).
Mr. CROFT said if they had a new boat it would certainly encourage the members to try and do better.
Mr. HALLIGAN said he thought the Club required a little “gingering up.” A number of the older members worked very hard during the season, but others did not assist them enough.
Mr. T. LUFF said he would also like to see a new boathouse. There was a suitable site, he thought, at the island below the railway bridge. The approach to the present premises was appalling. He thought it might be possible to make a public appeal (applause).
Several present offered to subscribe to a fund for a new racing eight, and the matter was referred to the Committee.
The CHAIRMAN thanked Mr. Dyson for initiating the discussion, and also for presiding at the opening of the meeting. He was now really the “father” of the Club, and he assisted them in every possible way (applause).
[A report of the business portion of the meeting is held over to next week, Ed.]
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Eton Excelsior R.C. Regatta
Successful Afternoon’s Sport
Friday, August 27th 1926 (*1)
Founded in the year 1851, the Eton Excelsior R.C. is one of the oldest up-river clubs. Prior to that date there were other local rowing clubs in existence, as from an old circular now in possession of the Club an Eton rowing club was going strong in the year 1826. Reference is made to this in another column. The Excelsior R.C. held their annual regatta on Saturday last, and despite some heavy showers early in the afternoon, there was a good attendance in the enclosure, which was again in the Eton College B.C. (by kind permission of the College authorities). Sir George Peters, J.P., the popular president, and Lady Peters were among the early arrivals, and they stayed to the end of the programme, Lady Peters distributing the handsome prizes, which included some dozen cups. Much regret was felt that Leslie Andrews, who met with a very serious motor-cycle accident at Kingston some weeks ago, was unable to be present. The Secretary (Mr. J. W. Tull) received a letter from him, dated King Edward VII. Hospital, August 20th, in which he stated:
“As the powers that be have decided I am not to go to the regatta to-morrow and so have not put my leg in plaster, I write to ask if you will kindly do the following favour. Please thank Sir George and Lady Peters and members of the Club, etc., for their kind sympathy in my unfortunate accident. I can assure them all that I have felt the shock very much of having to bring my rowing to such an abrupt ending. I wish the regatta every success, and although I shall not be with you all in person, I shall be in spirit.”
The races were keenly contested. C. V. Marment, a promising young sculler, won the Handicap Sculls, and it was interesting to note that for this event F. Wilkinson, a former captain, turned out and still shewed good form despite his age. V. H. Hobbs won the Senior Sculls, and L. Barrett the Junior Sculls, while the Excelsior Club defeated the Maidenhead R.C. in the Open Maiden Four-oar Race. The Open Double Sculling with lady cox was won by Staines. The Scratch Eights, as usual, caused a great deal of interest, and there were some close finishes, despite two unusual happenings – the breaking of a stroke’s oar, and a cox- swain’s rudder line. The speedy Etona (kindly lent by the Eton College B.C.) was used as the umpire’s launch.
The courses for the open events were: For the Maiden Fours, from the Mill Stream to the enclosure, and for the Double Sculling, from the G.W.R. Bridge to the enclosure.
Messrs. J. W. Tull (the hon. secretary) and T. Luff (assistant hon. secretary) carried out the secretarial duties, as usual, most thor- oughly. The other officials were :-Starters and Umpires: Messrs. L. F. Blane, S. Blane, W. Boulton (M.R.C.), W. Dodds, E., W. Fuggle, D. R. Miller (S.B.C.), G. L. Thompson (Leander B.C.), A. M. L. Thompson (Vikings B.C.), F. Wilkinson, and O. H. Collins (Marlow R.C.); Judges: Messrs. A. E. Barber, T. Boswell, C. F. Brunsdon, H. J. Hetherington, W. E. Herbert, S. M. Herbert, S. Melville, O. Rowland, F. G. Saunders, and Lieut.-Colonel J. T. Halligan, O.B.E.: Clerks of the Course: Messrs. B. N. Bettridge, M. J. Bell, S. E. Little, T. J. Cartland, T. South, and the Committee. Mr. W. Odell (the Brocas Boat Company’s manager) and the staff rendered every assistance during the afternoon. Mr. T. Kendall’s string band played a very pleasing selection of music.
At the conclusion of the regatta, Lady Peters presented the prizes, and the youngest competitor (N. H. Mills) handed her a bouquet on behalf of the Club.
The popular Captain (Mr. H. A. Baker) proposed a very cordial vote of thanks to Lady Peters for so kindly coming to present the prizes, and Sir George made a happy reply.
The Events
SENIOR SCULLS (for Challenge Cup and prize presented by Sir George Peters). Final: Berks Station: V. H. Hobbs, 1: Bucks Station G. W. Bayley, 2. Won by three lengths.
JUNIOR SCULLS (for Silver Challenge Sculls, and prize presented by Lady Peters). First heat: Bucks: C. V. Marment, 1: Berks: A. J. Merson, 2. Won easily. Second heat: Berks: L. Barrett, 1: Bucks: V. Wood, 2. Won easily. Final heat: Bucks: L. Barrett, 1; Berks: C. V. Marment, 2. Won easily.
PAIR-OAR GIG RACE (for the “Richardson Gardner” Challenge Cups). Final: Berks: R. C. Mills, J. W. Croft, H. Luff (cox), 1: Centre: A. A. Coles, G. W. Bayley, L. B. Palmer (cox), 2: Bucks: F. W. Buck, V. H. Hobbs, T. Luff (cox), 3. Good race, won by a quarter of a length.
FOUR-OAR RACE (for Challenge Cup). First heat: Bucks: F. W. Buck, V. Wood. A. J. Merson, J. W. Croft, N. H. Mills (cox), 1; Berks: A. Bellringer, A. G. Horlock, R. C. Mills, V. H. Hobbs, M. R. Burgoyne (cox), 2. Won by a length. Second heat: Bucks: W. Brown, P. Tuddenham, G. Newton, L. Barrett, M. R. Burgoyne (cox), 1: Berks: G. W. Bayley, J. G. White, H. Luff, L. B. Palmer, L. B. Mills (cox), 2. Won by a length and a quarter. Final: Berks: J. W. Croft’s crew, 1; Bucks: L. Barrett’s crew, 2. The race was a very exciting one, and resulted in a dead heat. On tossing for the cup, J. W. Croft’s crew won.
OPEN MAIDEN FOUR-OAR RACE (for the Challenge Cup presented by Mr. A. Jacobs, and presentation prizes). (Holders, Eton Excelsior R.C.) Final: Berks: Eton Excelsior R.C. – N. Langley, C. V. Marment, А. А. Coles, P. Tuddenham, L. B. Mills (cox), 1; Bucks: Maidenhead R.C. – E. Lane, R. Ashton, E. M. Hall, J. G. Potter, F. Goord (cox), 2. The Excelsior soon got ahead, and rowing strongly won by a length.
PAIR-OAR OUTRIGGERS (for the “Husted” Challenge Cup). First heat: Berks: L. Barrett and W. Brown, 1; Bucks: J. W. Croft and V. Wood, 2. Won on a foul. Final: L. Barrett and W. Brown rowed over: F. W. Buck and R. C. Mills scratched.
TUB DINGHY RACE, MIXED (prizes presented by Mr. A. H. Dyson).
First heat: Berks: L. F. Blane and Miss P. Young, 1; Bucks: N. Langley and Miss Maxim, 2. Won easily.
Second heat: Berks: C. D. Dyson and Miss Knight, 1; Bucks: J. W. Croft and Miss M. Dunn, 2: Centre: L. B. Palmer and Miss L. Osmond, 3. Won by a length.
Third heat: Bucks: F. W. Buck and Miss M. Haddon, 1; Berks: A. E. Gibson and Miss S. Jessop, 2. Won by 1½ lengths.
Final: Centre: C. D. Dyson and Mrs. Bennett Ede. 1: Bucks: L. F. Blane and Miss P. Young, 2: Berks: F. W. Buck and Miss M. Haddon, 3. Won by half-a-length.
HANDICAP SCULLS (for the “Wise” Challenge Cup: first prize presented by Messrs. Wagland and Son). Final: C. V. Marment (80 secs. start), 1; L. Barrett (60 secs.), 2; G. W. Bayley (5 secs.), 3; V. Wood (60 secs.), 4; V. H. Hobbs (scratch), 5; C. D. Dyson (50 secs.). 6; F. Wilkinson (120 secs.), 7; A. J. Merson (70 secs.), 8. Marment, who shewed [sic] very good form, won easily; good third.
DOUBLE-CANOE RACE. First heat: Berks: V. Wood and L. Barrett, 1; Bucks: J. G. White and V. J. Pottow, 2. Won by half-a-length. Second heat: Berks: A. A. Coles and V. H. Hobbs, 1; Bucks: L. B. Palmer and C. D. Dyson, 2; Centre: H. Luff and R. C. Mills, 3. Good race, won by 2 ft. Final: Bucks: A. A. Coles and V. H. Hobbs, 1; Berks: V. Wood and L. Barrett, 2. Won easily, the second pair capsizing.
OPEN DOUBLE SCULLING (lady cox) for the “Wakefield” Memorial Challenge Cup, and presentation prizes. First heat: Berks: Staines B.C. – K. Casson Smith, G. A. Smith, Mrs. G. A. Smith (cox), 1: Bucks: Eton Excelsior R.C., L. F. Blane, J. W. Croft, Miss M. Dunn (cox), 2; Centre: Westminster Bank R.C. B. Bilborough, A. Ε. Gibson, Miss Jessop (cox), 3. Won by half-a-length. Second heat: Berks: Albion R.C.
Notes
- The date is omitted from the newspaper clipping; however August 27th fell on a Friday in 1926.
The Newspaper Clipping
Staines Regatta
Excellent Performance by Eton Excelsior R.C
July 1926
The weather made a determined attempt to spoil this well-managed Regatta on Saturday last. What was lacking in the weather was made up for in the quality of the racing, excellent sport was seen from a splendid entry of 76 crews and scullers. H. Scott Freeman, the hon. secretary of the Regatta, is to be congratulated on the management of such a large entry. Racing commenced on Friday evening at 6 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. and again on Saturday at 10 till 7.30 p.m.
The Eton Excelsior R.C. put up an excellent performance in the Junior-Senior Eights. In the first heat they disposed of Thames “B” very easily, in the second heat a very fine crew in Kingston again fell to them, but in the final they had to lower their colours to Anglian by half a length. Messrs. L. F. Blane, W. Blane and S. G. Moss are to be congratulated on training the crew to such a high standard for their first outing this year. C. D. Dyson, the stroke, rowed with excellent judgment in all his races, and had the final station been reversed the result might have been different. The river at times was very rough, one crew in the Junior Fours having the misfortune to swamp and had to be rescued by the umpires’ launch. The E.E.R.C. Junior Fours lost their heat to Lensbury R.C. by 1½ lengths. Lensbury then going right through and winning the final. The Anglian Eight competed at Henley this year. It is interesting to note that the E.E.R.C. Eight improved their time with each race.
The following are the complete results of the local items:-
Junior Fours. Lensbury R.C. beat E.E.R.C by 1½ lengths. E.E.R.C., M. R. Burgoyne (bow). G. W. Bayley 2, H. W. Mayo 3, N. Bradley (stroke), J. White (cox.).
Junior-Senior Eights.
Heat 1: E.E.R.C. beat Thames R.C. “B” by 1½ lengths; time 5 min. 35 sec.
Heat 2: E.E.R.C. beat Kingston by half a length after a very fine race, the winners just managed to equal the late spurt of Kingston in the last 100 yards; time 5 min. 9 sec.
Final: Anglian B.C. beat E.E.R.C. by half a length in a very even race. E.E.R.C.: D. B. King (bow), A. A. Baker 2, R. J. Box 3, J. W. Croft 4, W. Dowsett 5, G. Newton 6, V. J. Pottow 7, C. D. Dyson (stroke), L. W. S. Howard (cox.).; time 4 min. 58 sec.
Maidenhead Regatta. Saturday, August 4th, the E.E.R.C. will compete in the Daily Telegraph Eights, the same crew being selected, with the exception of V. H. Hobbs in place of J. W. Croft; and at Bourne End Regatta, August Bank Holiday, in the Junior-Senior Fours at Maiden Fours.
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Eton Excelsior R.C. Regatta
August 1926
The regatta arranged by Eton Excelsior Rowing Club is now the chief event of its kind at the Royal Borough, and there was a large crowd in front of Eton College boathouse (which was kindly lent to the Committee for , use as an enclosure) to witness the racing on Saturday.
Eton Excelsior are one of the oldest clubs on the river and their fixture has always been popular. An interesting programme of events produced some very keen races and one dead-heat was recorded. Unfortunately the Junior Fours in best-boats for the Ruthven Cup did not fill, and it is doubtful if such a race so late in the season meets with favour.
Eton Excelsior and Maidenhead competed for the Maiden Fours Cup. Maidenhead got away well, and had nearly a length’s lead at the railway bridge, but Eton came up very fast at the finish and, passing Maidenhead, they won by one length. P Tuddenham showed excellent judgment in stroking the Eton boat. V. H. Hobbs won the Club Senior Sculls Challenge Cup by beating G. W. Bayley in the final by three lengths, whilst the Junior (Silver Challenge) Sculls were won by L. Barrett, who beat V. Wood in his heat and C. V. Marment in the final.
The final of the Club Fours between crews stroked by J. W. Croft and L. Barrett produced a very fine race, and the result was returned as a dead-heat. Instead of rowing again the crews tossed for the Cup and prizes, and J. W. Croft was successful.
The Richardson Gardner Cups for the Pair-Oar Gig Race were won by H. Luff, R. C. Mills, and J. W. Croft (cox.). who beat A. A. Coles, G. W. Bayley, and L. B. Palmer (cox.) by a quarter of a length. The Pair-Oar Outrigger Race for the Husted Cup was won by L. Barrett and W. Brown, who, after beating J. W. Croft and V. Wood on a foul in their heat, had to row over in the final, owing to their opponents, F. W. Buck and R. C. Mills, scratching.
The Mixed Dinghy Race was won by C. D. Dyson and Mrs. Bennett Ede by one length from L. F. Blane and Miss P. Young, whilst A. A. Coles and V. H. Hobbs won the Double Canoe Race, their opponents in the final, V. Wood and L. Barrett, capsizing. There were eight starters in the Club Sculling Handicap, which took place over a course of one and three-quarter mile, with a turn. V. H. Hobbs was at scratch, and F. Wilkinson, with 120 sec start, the limit man. The race was won very easily by C. V. Marment with 80 sec start, L. Barrett, with 60 sec start, being second, and G. W. Bayley, 5 sec, third.
Two crews from Staines B.C., two from Albion R.C. and one each from Westminster Bank R.C. and Eton Excelsior R.C. competed for the Wakefield Memorial Cup for Open Double Sculls, and K. Casson Smith, G. A. Smith, and Mrs. G. A. Smith (cox), of the Staines B.C., defeated F. Spiegel, J. Whitehouse, and Miss Knight (cox.), Albion R.C., in the final by half-a-length.
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Windsor Local History Group 