After the interruption of the Second World War, 1946 marked a vigorous return to activity for Eton Excelsior Rowing Club. The club’s post-war meeting looked towards rebuilding, including plans for a new boathouse, while also remembering members who had lost their lives. Competitive rowing quickly returned too: Excelsior regained the Captain’s Cup against Mortlake, raced international opposition at Reading and enjoyed notable victories at Maidenhead and Henley, despite some decidedly unfortunate incidents at other regattas.
Traditional fixtures were also being revived. Windsor and Eton once again contested the Peters Cup, while Eton Excelsior’s own regatta returned after a seven-year absence, attracting enthusiastic racing despite poor weather. The year even brought plans for a women’s rowing club in Windsor, seeking members, funds, a boat and clubhouse. Together, these newspaper reports capture a club and a rowing community emerging from the war years with renewed enthusiasm, ambition and optimism.
Newspaper Clippings
1946
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EERC Regain the Captain’s Cup 1946
EE01-0184Published: 1946
Source: UnknownVolume: Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, Volume 1Eton Excelsior Rowing Club triumphed over Mortlake Rowing Club, winning all three events in a revived competition.
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Rowing Club Prospects
EE01-0182Published: 8 March 1946
Source: UnknownVolume: Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, Volume 1Eton Excelsior Rowing Club held a successful meeting post-war, planning a new boathouse and honouring fallen members.
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Dutch Opponents For Excelsior
EE01-0183Published: 14 June 1946
Source: UnknownVolume: Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, Volume 1Eton Excelsior Rowing Club will compete in Reading Regatta, featuring an Eight and a Senior Four against a Dutch crew.
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EERC crews in two regatta incidents
EE01-0185Published: 19 July 1946
Source: UnknownVolume: Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, Volume 1Eton Excelsior Rowing Club faced misfortunes at two regattas, losing crucial finals due to external obstructions and mishaps.
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Excelsior Victories
EE01-0187Published: 9 August 1946
Source: UnknownVolume: Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, Volume 1Eton Excelsior Rowing Club achieved notable victories at Maidenhead and Henley regattas, showcasing impressive team spirit and talent.
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The “Peters” Cup 1946
EE01-0186Published: 16 August 1946
Source: UnknownVolume: Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, Volume 1Windsor triumphed over Eton in the revived annual rowing race for the “Peters” Cup after 84 years.
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EERC Regatta 1946
EE01-0188Published: 23 August 1946
Source: Windsor, Slough & Eton ExpressVolume: Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, Volume 1The Eton Excelsior Regatta returned after seven years, showcasing enthusiastic racing and promising young oarsmen despite poor weather conditions.
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PLAN TO FORM A WOMEN’S ROWING CLUB
EE02-0014Published: 8 November 1946
Source: Windsor, Slough & Eton ExpressVolume: Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, Volume 2Windsor girls aim to establish a women’s rowing club, seeking members and funds for a boat and clubhouse.
References
“Eton Excelsior Rowing Club: Fifty Years On – Reflections of the President“, by Colin Oakley in Windlesora 21 (2005).
“Eton Excelsior Rowing Club” by Joyce Sampson in Windlesora 21 (2005).
Ladies Rowing at the EERC by the Windsor, Slough & Eton Express of 8 Nov 1946.