Windsor and Eton Race 1931

Transcript

Windsor and Eton Race

Swan Fouls Eton Boat – Presentation to a Successful Stroke

The annual eight-oar race for the cup given by the late Sir George Peters, between Windsor and Eton members of the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, was rowed Wednesday evening over the usual course on the Thames, from Sandbank downstream to Eton College rafts.  The result was a victory for Windsor by one and a quarter lengths, but this margin was largely due to a swan fouling the Eton boat off the Brocas when a ding-dong finish looked certain.  The swan got entangled in the oars, which caused the Eton crew to cease rowing.  Windsor was leading at the time by about half a length, and when they saw what had happened to their opponents they eased up.  Although Eton got going again, the race was spoiled, and Windsor paddled home comfortable winners.  In the long series of races for the Peters’ trophy, such an occurrence has never happened before.  Fortunately, the swan was not injured, and after getting clear of the boat rejoined its mate.  The crews were as follows:-

Windsor.  E. T. Watson (bow), E. Smyth, J. B. B. Corps, A. Sharratt, F. W. Buck, F. A. Gurney, A. Brown, V. Wood (stroke), R. C. P. Hunt (cox). 1

Eton.  H. J. W. Nicholls (bow), R. O. Radbourne, W. Bedford, A. V. Shiach, D. A. Bond, L. Barrett, J. B. Frampton, K. L. Huy (stroke), F. W. Wilkinson (cox). 2

Mr. A. H. Dyson started the race from the launch Etona, which was kindly lent for the occasion.  At the word “Go,” Windsor got off very smartly, and were soon leading by half a length.  Eton then drew up slightly, but at the railway bridge Windsor were still leading.  A good race ensued down the Brocas, and the Eton crew, well stroked by Huy, was just beginning to get up to their opponents, when a swan-as stated-got in the way, and the Eton crew had to cease rowing.  Windsor then went on and won by 1½ lengths.  Mr. Cyril Dyson (captain), acted as judge.

After the race a supper took place at “Riverholme,” Mr. A. H. Dyson (vice-president) occupying the chair.  He was supported by Alderman G. Mitchell, Messrs. A. W. P. Harrison, Bert Baker, M. Lightfoot, Blane, R. G. Radnor, F. Wilkinson, and H. J. Frampton, Mr. Cyril Dyson (captain) and Mr. V. H. Hobbs (vice-captain) occupied the vice-chairs.  An excellent supper was served by Miss Outlaw.  A few toasts were afterwards honoured.

After the health of the King had been drunk, the company stood in silence for a short time out of respect to the memory of the late President, Sir George Peters.  The CHAIRMAN then submitted the toast of the “Winning Crews.”  He said they had assembled that evening chiefly to congratulate the winning crews upon their successes.  The old members appreciated it very much, and when he said that he himself won the Junior Sculls in the year 1882, they would see that he had been a member of the Club for fifty years (applause).  The success of the Junior Four at up-river regattas was wonderful, and it was largely due to their stroke, Mr. K. L. Huy (applause).  He had done splendidly, and had won every race in which he stroked the crew.  He had much pleasure in submitting the toast of the winning crews, and congratulated them most heartily upon their victories (applause).

Mr. Cyril DYSON said at this stage he would ask the Chairman to make a presentation to their excellent stroke, Mr. Huy.  Altogether his crew had won 23 races, including heats, this season (applause), and they were very sorry that they were losing his services shortly, as he was returning to his home in Germany.  They wished him good luck, and hoped they would see him at Windsor again in the near future (applause).

The CHAIRMAN, in handing Mr. Huy a framed photograph of the Eight he stroked when they disposed of London Rowing Club by a foot, said they hoped this little souvenir would remind him of the happy days he spent here.  He had put a lot of “ginger” into the crews, and they thanked him very much for his services.  They wished him all good luck, and said they much appreciated the sporting way in which he had served the old Club (applause).

Mr. Huy, who was cordially received, said he thanked them very much for the nice present they had given him.  He had greatly enjoyed the time he had spent with the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, and although some people could not understand a German stroking an English crew, he could assure them that everybody was so kind that he never thought that he was a German when he was rowing a race.  His people and their people were engaged in terrible war a few years ago, but now they were working amicably together, and he hoped they would continue to do so (applause).  He thanked them again for their present, and added that it would always remind him of the happy time he spent with them (applause).  Alderman MITCHELL submitted the toast of those who had trained the crews, including Mr. Harrison, Mr. Blane and Mr. Howard.  They had done their work well, and they desired to heartily thank them (applause).

Mr. HARRISON, in returning thanks, said anything he had done to help was a labour of love, and he congratulated the winning crews upon their success.  Proceeding, he gave a few hints on the importance of “tubbing,” and said that this was the foundation of good rowing.  They must thoroughly learn the elementary things about rowing before they got into an Eight or a Four.  Just after Easter he started to coach some young men who had never been in a rowing boat before, and he was pleased to say they had been remarkably successful.  On behalf of himself and the other coaches he thanked them very heartily for the toast (applause).

Mr. Bert BAKER, in proposing the toast of the Captain, Vice-Captain, Hon. Secretary, Assistant Secretary, and Hon. Treasurer, alluded to the great amount of voluntary work they carried out for the Club, not only during the season, but all the year round.  In conclusion, Mr. Baker asked the members to help the officials all they could in the arrangements now being made for the forthcoming Club regatta, and said they owed very much to their energetic captain, Mr. Cyril Dyson.  The toast was drunk with musical honours.  Mr. Cyril DYSON, in returning thanks, said he appreciated very much what Mr. Baker had said.  The officials’ tasks were rather arduous at times, but so long as the members supported them they would be pleased to go on.  With regard to what Mr. Harrison said about tubbing, he quite agreed with them, but it must be remembered that they had not much time to give to tubbing, as many of the members had to do all their practice after business hours, a number of them being employed in London.  He asked all the members to do what they could to back up the Club regatta (applause).

Mr. V. H. HOBBS, Mr. L. BARRETT, Mr. Vic. WOOD, and Mr. BELLRINGER, all suitably returned thanks for the toast.

Mr. HARRISON urged all present to do what they could to get in funds for the proposed new boathouse, and said he intended to personally canvas Eton College and Eton on behalf of the fund (applause).

Mr. Cyril DYSON submitted the toast of “the Press,” and Mr. M. LIGHTFOOT, in returning thanks, said he met Lady Peters in Windsor that morning, and he informed her that it was intended to row the race, Windsor v. Eton, for the cup given by her late lamented husband, and she said she was very glad to hear it, as Sir George always took the greatest interest in the race, and she was sure he would have wished that it should be rowed this season.

Mr. T. LUFF, in submitting the toast of the Chairman, thanked him for his great kindness to the Club on all occasions.  The Club had always been well-managed, and Mr. Huy’s remarks would, he was sure, do a great deal of good.  The toast was drunk with musical honours, and Mr. DYSON suitably returned thanks.

The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem concluded a very enjoyable evening.

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