EERC 1945 Press Clippings

1945 Index

Unknown	List of Serving Members
July or August	Excelsior at Weybridge
August	First Four-Oar Race Since 1939
August	Victory Day Items
Ocotober	Woman as Oarsmen

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List of Serving Members

Date Unknown

The ninety-fourth annual meeting of the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club was held at the Guildhall Windsor, on Friday evening, the Mayor (Councillor A. W. Bull) presiding. He was supported by, amongst others: The Captain ( Mr. V. Hobbs), Vice-Captain (Mr. F. W. Buck), Hon. Treasurer (Mr. A. Bellringer), Hon. Secretary (Mr. C. D. Dyson), Messrs. G. W. Hayley, J. B. W. Turner, R. Long and C. W. Polyblank.

Seventeen New Members

The annual report showed that during the season, seventeen new members were enrolled, and by limited coaching and the untiring efforts of the captain, they could all “sit in a boat”. Rowing facilities were provided, as in previous years, for boys of the County School and they were pleased to see they reached the final in the school fours, being beaten by Beaumont by half a length. Members away from home would be sorry, although probably not surprised to hear that the raft sank towards the end of the season. The tanks were rotten. Efforts would be made to obtain a new one. Congratulations were extended to the Vice-Captain, who was married in August. They regretted to record the death of Major P. Watson (Royal Berks) killed in action. Members would be sorry to hear that 2nd Lieut. J. B. Frampton had been severely wounded in Italy. The finances of the Club were sound, and boats and equipment in good condition.

Serving Members

A list of serving members was given as follows:

• Sqdrn-Ldr. V. A. Wood;
• A/B A E. Sharratt, RN;
• Lt. J. B. Powell;
• Capt. D. A. Bond, RA;
• Sgt. N. J. W. Nicholls, BYFA;
• Capr. B. J. Cork, RA;
• Sgt. W. Fraser, DYRA;
• P/O J.G. White, RAF;
• Lt. J. C. Fox, O&BLI;
• S/Maj. J. Lawson, BYFA;
• Capt. Aubrey-Jones, RA;
• Capt. T. J. Marrs, REM;
• Sgt. J. J. Sowerby, BYFA;
• Pte. E. C. Chasty, RASC;
• Sgt. R. B. Andrews;
• Sgt. T. G. Hardwick, BYFA;
• Capt. P. M. Chandler, RA;
• P/O M. C. Pulvermacher, RAF;
• A/C. F. V. Radnor, RAF;
• Lt. F. R. Pullick;
• P/O A. W. Sampson, RAF;
• Sb/Lt. J. K. Radnor, FIAA;
• Cpl. E. J. Still, RAF;
• Fl./Sgt. R. L. Sturgess, RAF;
• Sgt. R. Randall, RAF;
• L/Cpl. J. C. Sampson, RFus;
• 2nd Lt. G. D. Dyson, RM;
• L/AC E. Sturgess RAF;
• P. Fitzgerald, RN;
• Maj. Kinglsye Clarke, MCm RTC;
• Capt. A. G. Shiach, RM;
• P/O F. H. Derry, DFC, RAF;
• Lt. G. D. Lidstone, RTC;
• Pte. A. G. Simpson, Bl. Watch;
• Lt. H. Gale, PC;
• Sb. Lt. G. B. Dempster;
• Maj. S. V. Wheeler, RAC.

Elections

Mr. A. H. Dyson, who joined the Club 60 years ago, was re-elected president. Vice-Presidents were re-elected with the addition of the new Dean of Windsor and the new Provost of Eton (Sir Henry Marten). All the officers were re-elected.

Rafts in War-time

Reference made to the loss of the raft and the difficulty of obtaining a new one. Without a raft, the launching of racing boats is almost impossible. During the last war, the raft broke away from its moorings and was lost and the club had to have a new one twenty-five years ago.

The Press Clipping

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Excelsior at Weybridge

July or August

The Eton Excelsior Rowing are sending a Four to Club Weybridge Victory Regatta, which takes place on 12th August. This is the first open regatta that the club has been represented at since their successful year in 1939.

The crew is as follows: A. T. J. Scott (bow), R. H. Jordan (2), T. Hampton (3), P. О. Р. Pulvermacher (Str.), L. W. Sharp (Cox), J. Sampson and T. W. Suter (Subs).

The annual race for the Four Oar Cup will be rowed on Wednesday and Thursday, 15th and 16th August.

The Press Cutting

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An Eton Excelsior Event

First Four-Oar Race Since 1939

VJ-Day, 15th August 1945

The Eton Excelsior Rowing Club held their first Four-Oar Race for the Club Fours Challenge Cup since 1939 on Wednesday and Thursday of last week. The result was as follows:

Heat 1:

Berks Station – A. D’Albertanson, R. H. Jordan, P. О. Р. Pulvermacher, J. C. Sampson (str.) 1;

Bucks Station – D. Sim monds, R. Cortez-Leigh, J. Kille, E. Kettell (str.), 2; won by half a length.

Final:

Bucks Station -A. Gregory, M. Harrison, G. D. Dyson, T. A. Hampton (str.), 1;

Berks Station – Winner of Heat one, 2. Won by a few inches after a restart from the Mill Stream.

At the conclusion of the race, to celebrate V.J. day, both crews stood up in their boats, with their oars, to shoot the Bridge, and both reseated again without mishap. This feat needs a good deal of skill and balance; the gate of the swivel rowlock has to be undone first. In the return trip both crews capsized, much to the delight of the onlookers on the Bridge.

The Press Clipping

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Victory Day Items

August 1945

Windsor public houses had been granted an extension of hours until midnight, and despite the great shortage of supplies, the majority kept open, but some were forced to close their doors early in the evening.

Some amusement was caused to the crowd on the riverside and Windsor Bridge when two crews of the Eton Excelsior R.C., attempting to emulate the feats of the Eton College crews in the “Fourth of June” celebrations by standing in their craft and tossing oars, collided and all were thrown into the river.

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Woman as Oarsmen

First race on the Thames at Windsor

5th October 1945

During the past season, a number of young sportswomen wanted to take up rowing, and with the co-operation of the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, many were taught.

Their great enthusiasm prompted the Club to arrange a race for them, and on Saturday, a four-oar race took place over the Windsor Reach from the G.W.R. Bridge to Brocas Rails. The crews were:

Bucks Station – M. Brown (bow), P. Hobbs (2), C. Brown (3), H. King (str.). 1.

Berks station – J. Fairhurst (bow) S. Smith (2), R. Smith (3), B. Miller (str.), 2.

Two members of the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, L. W. Sharp and A. C. D’Albertanson were coxswains.

Both crews got away well and rowed level for the first minute, but the Bucks crew gradually drew away to win by three-quarters of a length. As the crews had had no racing experience at all, they gave a very creditable performance.

It is a common sight to see Ladies’ Fours and Eights on the Tideway, and it is hoped that a ladies’ club will be formed in Windsor. The Eton Excelsior Club lent their dressing rooms and boats during the past season, but if the ladies’ section is to continue, it will need additional and separate premises, and of course, there will be the problem of boats, a very expensive item in normal times, and doubly so now. It will be very disappointing to the ladies, after having made such a good start, if they are not able to continue, and everything should be done to assist them in this.

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