By May 1939, before the onset of the war, things were starting to look worrisome. The EERC with the Windsor Swimming Club formed a Sportsman’s Platoon. The Rugby Club has joined the Territorials. It was widely reported in the Press. The Club, with so many young fit men, knew that any action would require them to participate.
Throughout World War II the Club continued, albeit in a much reduced way. Rowing activities included ladies and younger men of school age. Members of the Club went to war or volunteered to undertake essential activities in the Windsor area. For six long years, the Club watched and prayed whilst its young men played their part. Many, unfortunately, were not to return.
By the end of the war, the committee and coaches had managed to keep the Club going. Even under austerity, the future for the Club looked bright. Who knew that it would keep going into the next century?
Newspaper Clippings from the War Years
You can either select the year or the clipping title to get more details.
1939
On 1st September, World War II started. Many of the EERC members who had already committed to the Sportsmen’s Platoon signed up. All services were represented: Navy, Army and Air Force. The men of the EERC couldn’t have known then that it would be many years before they were back rowing for the Club. And those that didn’t, we remember and thank them for their sacrifice.
| October | Eton Excelsior and the War |
1940
By March, 27 members had signed up, with more soon to join up. The Club continued, but our activities were severely curtailed with all members of the “calling up” engaged off to serve. Those unable undertook essential voluntary community roles in the LDV, ARP and Special Constabulary. Whilst older members continued, there grew an understanding that the Club had to nurture the young as new junior members.
1941
In 1941, school-age youngsters joined the Club and began training with our coaches. Our strategy of nurturing the young was working. The youngsters even managed to participate in a competition with local schools and the Royal Army Service Corps. Up and down the river, the services were using the river and the various clubs’ facilities for physical training and team building.
1942
The members continued to scour the newspapers for the local newspapers for news of family, friends and other members. The Club continued through hard times, but managed to run a Rag Regatta in August. It was a high-spirited, informal, and chaotic community boating event featuring unconventional competitions such as the climbing of the greasy pole. The Grenadier Guards based at the local barracks even had a boxing competition on a raft in the middle of the river. A great diversion and spirit-lifting during those dark days.
| August | EERC Regatta |
| November | Burnham Air Hero Awarded DFC |
| November | Malta Convoy DSO |
1943
During 1943, it was suggested that we change our names to attract a wider audience – that was deferred until after the war. We ran another very successful Rag Regatta, much to the enjoyment of the local community. But the war continued, and we received the news that one of our decorated airmen had been killed in action shortly after being awarded a DFC. War struck home.
| March | Airman Killed |
| March | A Change of Name? |
| August | Saturday Rag Regatta |
1944
Although the invasion of Europe happened, and there was a glimmer of the end of the tunnel, the war in the Far East continued to be ground out in the jungles and islands of the region excerting a heavy toll. The Club’s rowing activities continued, albeit in a much-reduced way.
1945
The War in Europe ended in May, and in the East in September. Things were slowly returning to normal, but with shortages as the norm. Rowing competitions were restarting. The future of Ladies’ Rowing, which had become popular, was debated. New members joined, old ones were still away, and disaster struck when the raft sank, and a replacement was problematic.
| Unknown | List of Serving Members |
| July or August | Excelsior at Weybridge |
| August | First Four-Oar Race Since 1939 |
| August | Victory Day Items |
| October | Woman as Oarsmen |
At the end of the War, eight members had made the ultimate sacrifice and did not return. They are remembered on the EERC Memorial Board along with those who perished in World War I. Lest we forget.