ERRC Annual Meeting 1940

Transcript

ERRC Annual Meeting

Twenty-Seven Oarsmen Join Up (Friday 1 March 1940)

The war time annual meeting of Eton Excelsior Rowing Club at the Club premises on 22nd February found the members attending well, but there were naturally many whose absence was honourably excused. As in the last war the majority have joined the Forces: twenty-seven at the moment, and more will be going soon. In the Great War no fewer than sixty-eight entered the Services, of whom several gave their lives.

Mr. H. G. Hetherington, a vice-president of the Club when the last war broke out, saw active service then and he is still a vice-president, serving again, with the rank of colonel. Another, Mr. R. S. Turner, of Slough, has joined up at 54 years of age and wants to be an honorary member for the duration. Some one else wrote asking to be “honorary member for as long as the Club exists“. Another who has seen service in the last and this war is Mr. L. W. S. Howard.

The President (Me. A. H. Dyson) presided, supported by: The Captain (Mr. V. H. Hobbs), Messrs. V. A. C. Wood, F. W. Burk, A. Bellringer, C. D. Dyson, J. B. Powell, S. H. Mayes, L. T. Jones, R. Giles, R. Rivers Boddily, J. B. W. Turner, A. E. Sharratt, E. A. Blore, etc.

The Annual Report

The annual report for 1939 showed that owing to the unsettled state of the country during last season, making up crews and coaching was very difficult. Two of last year’s first eight joined the Fleet Air Arm and it was hoped to put on a coxswainless four with four of those remaining, but training, camp or A.R.P. lectures, etc., made this impracticable. Nevertheless the Club was represented at most of the up-river regattas by a junior eight. These members all joined up, so were able to do their training for the Club and the country together.

A number of new members were enrolled during the season and, with help from some of the senior members, made very good progress.

There followed an interesting resume of the Club’s river activities including reports on the inter-club races with Mortlake Rowing Club, the race v. Beaumont Reading. Marlow, Kingston, Staines and Molesey regattas and a statement that for the first time since the Great War the Club was unable to send a crow to Maidenhead and Henley Town because practically all the members had to attend camp.

The river carnival during the Royal Show, Club events and the annual regatta were all referred to and of the last it was stated this would go down in the records of the Club as the best over.

A list of those serving in the present war includes: A. E. Sharratt, D. A. Bond, N. J Nicholls, D. D. Harrison, R. J. Cork, A. G. Blake, P. Watson, W. Fraser, R. Giles, E. A. Blore, J. G. White, J. B. Frampton, J. C. Fox, R. S. Turner, B. J. Cork, J. Lawson, A. W. Aubrey Jones, T. Marrs, J. J. Sowerby, E. C. Chasty. T. H. Hardwick, D. J. Burke, R. D. Copas, B. W. B. Bransden, L. W. S. Howard, P. W. Fitzgerald, G. R. Streatfield. L. W. S. Howard’s name appears in both lists.

The report was adopted with a tribute to the Hon. Secretary (Mr. Dyson).

The Balance Sheet

The general balance sheet showed an amount of £61. 2s 1d. on the right side but it was pointed out that this included donations of £49 to the boat fund for a new eight, reducing the available balance to approximately £11.

The regatta statement showed a balance of £14 16s. 4d., a record, upon which the social committee, the women responsible for the teas, and all concerned were congratulated.

The statements were adopted.

Elections

All the officers who acted last year, many of whom are now on active service, were thanked for their unselfish work. It was necessary to appoint a practically new committee, the majority of last year’s committee having answered the country’s call.

The following appointments were confirmed: President, Mr. A. H. Dyson; Vice-presidents, re-elected with the addition of the Deputy-Mayor (Mrs. Carteret Carey) and Mr. V. H. Hobbs; Captain, Mr. V. H. Hobbs; Deputy Captain, Mr. V. A. C. Wood; Vice-Captain, Mr. F. W. Buck: Hon. Treasurer. Mr. A. Bellringer: Hon. Secretary, Mr. C. D. Dyson; Assistant Hon. Secretary, Mr. J. B. Powell; Hon. Auditors, Messrs. A. H. Dyson and T. Н. Powers; Committee, Messrs. R. R. Boddily. T. J. Jones, S. H. Mayes, H. A. Baker, E. A. Blore, G. W. Bayley, F. L. P. Webb and J. W. Tull.

The President, Captain, Hon. Secretary, Vice-captain, Hon. Treasurer, were singled out for special thanks and it was mentioned that one of the Vice-presidents, Mr. C. R. Cherry. now in India, had left a standing order with the bank for his subscription to be paid every year.

All members who have joined the Forces are honorary members for the duration; subscriptions are not expected from them.

Mr. JONES suggested some means by which the Club should keep in touch with members who had joined up.

Mr. Hobbs said every month one member compiled a letter which was sent out to every member who had joined the Services. If it were possible, parcels would also be dispatched.

Images

---