CHAIRMAN’S VIEW

I was sorry to miss last week’s naming of the Ben Helm pair due to a commitment to cheer on my nephew at The London Marathon. Ben has done an enormous amount for LRC and the wider rowing world over the last few decades and I was lucky enough to have rowed with him in the 90s. He was selected for GB in lightweight fours and eights, winning a silver at the 1995 World Championships in Tampere, Florida and finished his international career stroking the lightweight coxless four at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. He was also part of the LRC crew who broke the world record over 2000m for any coxless four, heavy or light in a time of 5:47 (if my memory is correct?) and this stood for many years. Ben has served as LRC Captain, Chairman for 6 years and now coaches the squad. He is a Steward of Henley Royal Regatta, chairing their investment committee and is a FISA umpire. So quite a CV and the naming is well-deserved.

I was, as always, interested to watch the Boat Races, not that I have a particular allegiance apart from my wife who went to Cambridge, so I should be a light blue! Anyway, it’s always fascinating to watch match eights competing over the Championship Course. Perhaps of more interest than the individual races is Cambridge’s clean sweep leaving a hapless Oxford squad to return to the drawing board.

Were the defeats across all boats due to lesser athletes? No. When asked before the races about the importance of the fitness and ability of each rower or the cohesion of each crew, Martin Cross immediately said crew cohesion is the crucial factor. As we all know, a well-drilled cohesive crew is greater than the sum of its parts. So, is coaching the main difference? Surely a major factor, but there must be significant psychology at play. There’s a saying in cycling, ‘Happy heads, happy legs’ and happiness, well-being and a sense of unity across the whole CUBC team must be a major contributor to their dominance. OUBC only recently became one club amalgamating men, women, open weight and lightweights, a structure which has been in place at CUBC for some time.

I sense we have a happy and supportive squad and wider club at LRC, judging by the cheers and encouragement at erg testing and the friendliness of all members. Of course, there are always wrinkles to work on and we could do with more equipment but the mood is positive, which is great to see. Remembering my competitive rowing, the best results came when the crew or squad was relaxed and happy. That’s not always easy to achieve due to pressures of training, selection and other things life brings, but I would venture to say that psychology is as important as physical preparation.

As I write, the Wallingford Regatta results are in. Congratulations to the men on winning Challenge eights and Challenge coxless fours, a fabulous way to get the summer season underway. And well done to all the crews who competed. I wish everyone ‘Happy heads, happy legs’.

Bill Baker
Chairman, London Rowing Club

CAPTAIN’S REPORT

Regatta season has kicked off to a great start for LRC in the last few weeks.

Over 60 athletes from the senior squad returned to Eton Dorney for Wallingford Regatta on Sunday, 4th May. Both men and women displayed superb rowing in a mixture of coxed and coxless fours and eights.

LRC came away with two wins for the men’s Challenge 8+ and men’s Challenge coxless 4-. The overall results in finals were as follows:

M Challenge 8+ 1st & 5th
M Challenge 4- 1st & 5th
M Club 8+ 3rd
M Club 4+ 3rd
W Challenge 8+ 6th
W Club 8+ 4th
W Club 4- 2nd

A really great set of results for the first regatta of the season for the squad - well done all!

Elsewhere a small contingent of masters took part in Hammersmith Regatta on 26th April. Some great racing was had by the crews despite the changing tidal conditions throughout the day, with a couple of pots claimed along the way!

A huge congratulations to everyone who took part at Hammersmith and Wallingford regattas. A great start to the regatta season!

On the same day, I had the pleasure of attending the Remenham Club Dinner hosted by Vesta RC at St Mary’s Church Putney. It was a wonderful evening spent chatting and dining with our fellow Remenham Club partners. We came away very much looking forward to returning to Remenham for HRR.

Turning to club events, Club Pride Day part 2 will be taking place on Sunday, 18th May at 10:30am. This will be for outdoor jobs only (balcony cleaning, bay sweeping, etc). This day is for non-squad members to muck in and give the Club a good clean (the squad having done their day before Christmas). The squad will be at Poplar Regatta on the day meaning the Club will be a little quieter for the occasion. I hope members from across the Club can attend to help out! The bar will be open, serving tea and coffee and then alcohol from midday.

Here’s looking to a jam packed May and June as we move ever closer to HRR.

Bang the Drum!

Rob Porter
Captain, London Rowing Club

MEN’S MASTERs REPORT

We continue to build momentum for our two main events of the year: British Masters, and Henley Masters. The enthusiasm continues to grow, and our training outings are proving useful (when conditions permit!).

In the meantime, some of our members took to the water to represent the group at Hammersmith Regatta.

First up, our crew in Open 4x faced Kensington Aldridge Academy Boat Club in the semi-final and attained victory by 3 lengths, safely securing their place in the final. There, the crew faced Cygnet Rowing Club, declaring victory with a Verdict of 1 1/4 lengths. Congratulations to all involved!

Pictured: Keith Cheung (S), Tom Platts (3), Julian Hyde (2), and Mark Boyd (B)

Representing us in the men's Op 2-, our "spare pair", who have been training together for quite a while, faced Fulham Reach in the first round, winning by a verdict of 3 lengths and taking them safely into the final. There, they faced another Fulham Reach crew (one of whom is the son of another member) and claimed victory with a verdict of "easily". Well done, gentlemen!

Pictured: Rob Williams (S), and James Sexton-Barrow (B) stopping off at Hammersmith Bridge for a "pit-stop pint!" on the journey home.

We also raced crews in the MAS.C2- (James Brooks, and Charlie Pryor), and Op8+ (James Robinson, Paul Mascaro, Liam Gorman, Rob Farthing, James Halsall, David Law, Jason Bowyer, Adrian Turner, Julie Hogg (Cox)). Conditions were challenging, resulting in both crews snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Onwards!

Jason Bowyer

IRREGULARS REPORT

Travel was the order of the day last month with members of the Irregulars seemingly all over the globe.

Keith and Christine Swabey deliver an ambulance to Ukraine and raise funds for Medical Life Lines Ukraine.

Nick and Nicolette Wykeman visiting a rowing club in Heidelberg.

Mike Newsom Davis visiting a rowing club in Houston.

We still managed to get wonderful turnouts for our weekly outings - weather a factor possibly??

On Easter Saturday we combined with Alan Foster's Saturday crowd and had thoroughly enjoyable outings. We boated four quads and even some impromptu racing. Handicaps were invented on the spot and although I didn't take part in the racing it was rumoured to be close!

Evening outings start next week and we have 24 members keen to take part - a wonderful response . Thursday evenings have been selected for these and there is a good chance that the bar will be opened.

Some of us are looking forward to taking part in the Vogalonga on the 8th June in Venice and then the British Masters the following weekend. More about this in the next edition.

Happy rowing everyone!

Eddie Markes

YOUNG IRREGULARS REPORT

April proved to be another fantastic month for the Young Irregulars, with plenty of great sessions on Saturday mornings. The tides were kind, the weather cooperative, and spirits were high as we look forward to the summer months ahead.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve enjoyed two coached sessions with Dave—marking our transition from self-funded coaching to club-supported sessions for non-squad groups. These have been really well received and are helping the YIs go from strength to strength. We’ve regularly managed to get 2–3 quads on the water each time, with rotating crews providing everyone with the chance to row alongside different teammates. We're looking forward to continuing this momentum with more sessions booked throughout May.

April also brought with it The Boat Race—though it already feels like a distant memory after Easter and the run of bank holidays. We had a great turnout at the Club to watch the race, and many in the group were lucky enough to receive a pair of tickets so they could bring a guest. It’s just one of the many perks of being a member at London RC, and one I’d highly recommend. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for tickets again next year!

To wrap up the month, we had a strong showing at Hammersmith Regatta on the final weekend (April 25th), with the Young Irregulars entering two crews: a Women’s Double (W2x) and a Mixed Double (Mix2x).

Camille and Rachel competed in the W2x and kicked off their day with a strong heat against Tideway Scullers. They found their rhythm early, leading confidently and winning by several lengths—a great start to the day. With just a 20-minute turnaround, they were quickly back on the water for their semi-final against Poplar. The race began well, but by the three-quarter mark, they had slipped a length behind. Then, in a dramatic twist, the Poplar crew caught a crab just under Hammersmith Bridge, coming to a sudden stop. Camille and Rachel took full advantage, sprinting through to take the win by a quarter of a length and book their place in the final against Putney High School.

In the final, Camille and Rachel got off to a clean and confident start, establishing an early lead. From there, they controlled the race comfortably and crossed the line well ahead to take the win. A fantastic performance from the pair!

Heather and Tom raced in the Open 2x category as a Mixed Double—drawing a strong men’s crew from Poplar in the semi-final (who went on to win the division). They had an excellent start, holding pace with the Poplar crew for the first 400m. The two boats were close as they rounded the bend, but the wind began to pick up and, combined with the ebb tide, it became difficult to maintain speed. Despite giving it everything, they couldn’t quite stay with the men’s boat and were beaten by a few lengths. It was a hard-fought race and a great learning experience for both rowers.

Tom Downes

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

See more detail for these events, visit our Calendar of Events…

NON-SQUAD LRC ROWING (Part III)

Following the articles I wrote for the February and March editions of TLR (which can be found on the Club’s website if you haven’t already read them or you want to refresh your memory on their content), I thought it might be helpful to let you have an update on the present state of play.

By the end of March, having attended General Committee (‘GC’) and Rowing Sub-Committee (‘RSC’) meetings over the previous weeks, I felt ready to put forward my proposals for refining the structure of the Masters rowing at the Club.

I prepared a note for circulation among the RSC members in advance of their 8th April meeting. This was duly circulated and I then attended the meeting to talk to my note and answer questions raised by the committee’s members.

There was constructive discussion at the meeting. I then left, leaving it them to continue their deliberations in their own time.

My proposals are still being considered by the RSC. The next step is for them to decide whether they want to adopt my proposals and then pass on their decision, one way or the other to the GC to decide where they stand on the subject.

I thought you might like to see my note to the RSC;

‘Note to RSC

It is now just over two months since Bill Baker and the GC asked me to review the structure of the non-squad LRC rowing (which for the purposes of this note I call Masters).

Over that time, I have talked to the people currently running the various Masters groups and others involved including the Captain, the chairman of the RSC and some of those not in any of the groups (largely single scullers).

Fairly quickly after taking up my role, I decided that it would be helpful to consult all our Masters to find out their aspirations. A survey was circulated to everyone we thought might be in the Masters category. We had 160 replies to the survey, 129 of which were from people who want to be active rowers. The other 31 were members who don’t want to row at the moment.

It was unclear what percentage of all our active Masters 129 amounted to. From further research I have done over the past couple of weeks, I have contacted about 30 single scullers who are happy to remain independent of the main Masters groups. I believe that there are about 150 active LRC Masters in all.

The number of Masters wanting to row at LRC has increased significantly over the last five years. Over that time, the structure has evolved well but needs a bit more refinement.

Against this backdrop, I feel the time has come for me to put forward my proposals for refining the Club’s Masters Structure to the RSC and for it to decide whether it wants this structure adopted and, if so, to report the position to the GC for their consideration.

I feel I should emphasise that my proposals are not for dramatic change but for a further evolutionary change which should set the Masters up for the coming years.

I should also make it clear that it became clear to me very quickly after I started my review that to make any immediate substantive changes would not be appropriate as we were entering the Head racing season, shortly after to be followed by the Regatta season. To make the changes now would result in confusion and disruption within the existing groups and their members. In short, my recommendation is that the changes should take effect from the beginning of August so that they can operate from the start of next year’s rowing year.

My recommendation is that, with effect from the beginning of August, there should be three groups of Masters, as follows;

1. ELITE MASTERS.
Open to all elite LRC non-squad rowers.
Sweep and sculling.
High racing aspirations - several heads and several regattas a year.
Men and women who want to train at least five times a week - two outings and at least three off water
sessions -erg/gym/cycling/running.
This group to be separated into two sections - ‘Men’s Elite Masters’ and ‘Women’s Elite Masters’, each with its own co-ordinator.

2. CLUB MASTERS.
Open to all LRC non-squad rowers.
Sweep and Sculling.
With aspirations to race a number of times a year - heads and regattas.
Men and women who want to train at least three times a week - one or two outings and one or two off water sessions - erg/gym/cycling/running.
One co-ordinator needed for this group.

3. IRREGULARS
Open to all LRC non-squad rowers.
Sweep and scullers.
With no aspiration to race or an aspiration to take part in only the occasional head and/or regatta.
Depending on initial numbers this group to be headed up by one co-ordinator or two. One co-ordinator may be sufficient for Irregulars of all ages but if the numbers are sufficient to justify two sections there should be two co-ordinators - one for ‘Young Irregulars’ (people under about fifty) and one for Irregulars (people over about fifty).

As far as the Single Scullers are concerned, a WhatsApp group should be set up to help facilitate better liaison between them but they should remain independent of the other groups (although some of them might like to be members of one of the groups as well).

Miles Preston

30.3.25.’

The ball is now in the RSC’s court and, after that, the GC’s.

Miles Preston

LONDON’S LONG HISTORY WITH THE MET AND A CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

The Metropolitan Amateur Regatta, colloquially called the MET, will be held on Saturday, 31st May and Sunday, 1st June 2025, and the long history of support from London members is once again being called upon by the Organising Committee as we seek volunteers across a variety of roles on the timing and commentary teams, the landing pontoons and the prize tent.

If the usual inducements of bacon sandwiches, lunch and restorative gin (together with their vegetarian/vegan and alcohol-free alternatives) aren’t quite enough to encourage you to volunteer this year, I would also appeal to your sense of nostalgia and club pride with a brief history of why the organisation and smooth running of the MET falls to London members each year.

The MET, which was officially first raced in 1866, arose out of a challenge from the relatively short-lived West London Rowing Club to London Rowing Club the year before.

On 8th August 1865, two races were held on the Tideway from Putney to Chiswick Church, following the efforts of the captains of the most prominent rowing clubs at the time. The initial challenge had resulted in an invite being sent to the captains of the Metropolitan Rowing Clubs, to enter an eight (made up of men who had never previously competed successfully in any open races) and a pair.

The VIII’s final was won by the London crew, Thames came second and West London third. London were also victorious in the pairs final.

The event was so successful that it was decided to establish an annual regatta on the Putney water, and a committee of management was formed, composed of the captains of nearly all the recognised amateur rowing clubs on the Thames. The initial committee was short-lived, and since then, following the initiative of London Captain Herbert Playford, the management of the regatta has been in the hands of London.

From this brief history its clear that London members have a long and proud association with the MET – organising, competing, and winning. The Organising Committee are calling on London members to continue to this association and are looking for Volunteers to ensure the MET maintains its reputation as the best run multi-lane regatta in the country.

The MET is extremely fortunate to have a number of long serving volunteers. I would, however, encourage the newer members of the Club, together with the Millennials and recently retired members of the Squad to volunteer this year as quite a few of long serving regulars deserve a well-earned break.

If you are interested in volunteering at the year’s MET, please contact Jason Gray via email entries@metregatta.org or 07729710178. As always, your support is not only essential to the running of the London’s home regatta, but is greatly appreciated by both the Organising Committee and the athletes competing at the regatta.

Jason Gray

RECIPROCAL RELATIONSHIP WITH RHKYC

I am pleased to inform members that our reciprocal relationship with the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club has been reestablished. Although the relationship ended around ten years ago, several current LRC members have rowed at RHKYC and so the links with that club remain strong.

LRC member William Kong was in Hong Kong in April to make arrangements for the first reciprocal visitor from London, Jess Eddie. She commented afterwards “we are proudly on the wall at the club and everyone I met couldn’t have been more hospitable. I was lucky enough to go out for an evening row in the harbour, 12k of incredible rowing in our ocean sculling boats, which made the Uber ferry wash look like child’s play! I would very much recommend any potential visitor to HK to get in touch with the club and keep the connection alive.”

As it happens, RHKYC member Michael Ng is visiting London and has been out in crews organised by Alan Foster and Eddie Markes. Michael would like to reciprocate by inviting LRC members to participate in the Around the Island Race in November. That is certainly one to add to the bucket list of international rowing events including the Vogalonga and a visit to our other reciprocal club, Calcutta RC. Please let me know if you are interested now or in future years (Secretary@londonrc.org.uk).

Andrew Boyle
Honorary Secretary, London Rowing Club

CLUB SUPPER - 15TH MAY

Come and join us for this month’s Club Supper. This event is open to all members and their friends. The bar will be open from 7pm, with dinner served at 8pm - 3 courses for £28 and members priced drinks!

Book on MCH, spaces limited and booking close on Monday 12th May. The link to book is here. Please advise any dietary requirements once you are booked in to events@londonrc.org.uk.

Annabel Lawrence
Events Manager, London Rowing Club

LAUNCHING IN HOUSTON

Rowing on a mirror is a novel experience, particularly when accustomed to the choppy charms of the Tideway. Swopping Crocs for live Alligators, I recently found myself skimming over the glassy waters of Sugar Creek in a spanking new Vespoli Double Scull.

In Houston for a few days and missing out on our Irregulars Sunday row, I had managed to arrange an outing with the Greater Houston Rowing Club. They are a friendly bunch with a quiver of gleaming boats who happily welcome visiting rowers to their club outings.

Standing on the dock at 7am on a Sunday morning I got lucky and was paired with an affable and experienced young member, Derek, who navigated the twisting turns and low bridges of Sugar Creek with aplomb (although the 1ft bridge clearance was a little unnerving compared to Hammersmith.)

Their club byline is: "at Sugar Creek the only wake is caused by ducks" and it was certainly true. Like skiing on fresh snow, it was surprising how easy it becomes with not a ripple on the water, and we were soon practicing racing starts at 35. Not bad for an old Irregular with jet lag. Sunstroke in April is not something we normally worry about in Putney but by 9am it was a relief to be off the water. Sadly, no showers or Smugglers coffee, but a warm welcome from a very hospitable club.

And what of the Crocs? The biggest hazard boating at LRC is tripping over in them. Not so in Houston: a few years ago, an agitated Gaitor took a chunk out of two of their boats.

An alligator ‘chomped’ the boat after the rower accidentally hit it with his blade.

An interesting repair job - and maybe why we had such a beautiful new carbon fibre shell.

Mike Newsom Davis

NEW MEMBERS

We would like to welcome the following new members to the Club:

Oliver Buxo-Copp
Jack MacDonald
Christina Matteotti

We hope you will enjoy being part of the London Rowing Club community and will help us build an ever happier and more successful club.

We are always pleased to have more members so, if you know of anyone who you think might like to join the Club, please either let us know or encourage them to get in touch with us themselves.

There is information on becoming a member on our website or you can email the Club’s Membership Secretary:

Andrew Boyle
Honorary Secretary, London Rowing Club

LRC FALLEN IN THE EUROPEAN THEATRE OF WORLD WAR II

This month’s issue of the London Roar is being published on the same day as the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, May 8th 1945.

Below are the names of thirteen London Rowing Club members who were killed in operations, or died whilst on active service in Europe. It omits those who died in Africa and the Far East.

The list includes D. G. Kingsford, who was awarded an “immediate” Military Cross in Normandy, R.G. Addis who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Mentioned in Despatches, P. G. Stone who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and B. S. Beazley who was Mentioned in Despatches.

The information is drawn from a series of six articles which appeared in the London Roar in 2020/21.

The thirteen names, in alphabetical order, are as follows.

………………………………………….

Richard Graham Addis
Lieutenant RNVR. Killed in action on 30th March 1944, aged 27, on board HMS Laforey, an L-Class destroyer, off Sicily. Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, panel 88, col. 1. Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Mentioned in Despatches. Elected 1937. Son of Sir Charles Stuart Addis, KCMG, LLD (1861-1945), banker and Government adviser.

Basil Saunders Beazley
Major, Royal Engineers, 9th (Airborne) Field Company. Killed in action on 10th July 1943, aged 29, in the Sicily landings. Interred in Syracuse War Cemetery, Sicily, grave II.A.6. Mentioned in Despatches.

Elected 1933. Vice Captain 1936. On Committee 1937. Rowed in the Thames Cup 1933 and 1934 and in the Grand in 1935, 1936 and 1937. Member of LRC coxed four which won at Figueira da Foz international regatta, Portugal, 1936. Won Gold medal in England VIII at British Empire Games, Sydney, in 1938. In winning HORR crews of 1935 and 1936.

Richard Leslie Hall
Surgeon Lieutenant RNVR. MRCS, LRCP. Killed in action on 21st August 1944, aged 28, on board the sloop HMS Kite in the Barents Sea. Commemorated on Plymouth Naval Memorial, panel 93, column 1. Elected 1935.

Eric John Harris
Flying Officer RAF, 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit. Killed in action on 28th August 1942, aged 30. Interred in Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium, grave 9.F.1. Elected 1931.

Oliver Lilburne Rieu Hills
Pilot Officer RAFVR 488 (RNZAF) Squadron, UK. Killed in action on 25th November 1943, aged 32; found drowned off the Isle of Sheppey in the Thames Estuary and interred in Epsom Cemetery, section N, grave 256, in August 1944 nine months later. BA Cantab (Clare College). Solicitor.

Elected 1933. Rowed for Clare College in the Thames Cup 1931 and Ladies Plate 1932 and 1933; for London in the Thames Cup crews of 1934 and (winners) 1935; and in the Club’s winning HORR crew in 1934.

Desmond Glover Kingsford
Captain, Irish Guards, 3rdBattalion. Awarded an “immediate” Military Cross for action on 3rd August 1944 in the Normandy campaign but died from wounds received only a week later on 10th August, aged 30. Interred in Tilly-sur-Seulles War Cemetery, Calvados, France, grave IX.H.10. Parents living in Alberta, Canada.

Elected 1934. Rowed for Pembroke College, Cambridge, in the Ladies Plate 1934 and in the Grand in 1935 (winning crew) and 1936. In the winning Cambridge crews in the Boat Races of 1935 and 1936. Competed in the Silver Goblets for LRC in 1937 (see following paragraphs). Won Gold medal in England VIII at British Empire Games, Sydney, in 1938 under Leander/CUBC colours. Rowed for Leander in the Grand in 1939.

Kingsford was at 6 in the winning Cambridge crew of 1936, and a fellow Pembroke man, G M (Morley) Lewis, rowed at 3. They competed together under London colours in the Silver Goblets in 1937. Both happened to take part in the invasion of Normandy at the same time, Lewis serving as a medical officer in the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards. Both battalions had reached the little town of Vire, south west of Caen, and Kingsford and Lewis were able to lunch together at Lewis’ battalion headquarters on 10th August, a week after Kingsford had won his “immediate” MC. Immediately after lunch, however, Kingsford was called away to lead his platoon in an attack on an enemy position, when he was severely wounded. He was brought back to Lewis’ medical station, but died a few minutes later with Lewis alongside him.

Lewis wrote this account of Kingsford’s death for ‘Rowing’ magazine in 1951, the leading rowing journal of the day. After the War Lewis had a medical practice in London.

Cyril Lascelles Morris
Flight Lieutenant, RAFVR, 12 Squadron. Killed in action on 13th August 1944, aged 31, and interred in Hanover War Cemetery, Germany, coll. grave 8, B12-17.

Elected 1933. Rowed in the Ladies Plate for Radley in 1931. Stroked the winning London Wyfold crew of 1937, known as the ‘Umbrage Four’ – see page 167 of the Club history, and photograph of the crew on p.170. This photo also hangs in the Long Room.

Forbes O’Rorke
Lieutenant, NZ Infantry, 20th Battalion. Killed in action on 28th April 1941, aged 34, and interred in Phaleron War Cemetery, Greece, grave 13.D.6.

Elected 1926. Rowed for Jesus College, Cambridge in the Thames Cup crew in 1924, the Grand of 1925 and the Ladies Plate (winners) in 1926.

Edwin Russell Roseveare
Surgeon Lieutenant, RNVR. Died on 14th February 1944, aged 27, in a sanatorium, whilst on active service, and buried at Woking (St John’s) Crematorium, panel 4. MBBS London, Guy’s Hospital.

Elected 1934. Rowed for Guy’s in the Wyfolds in 1936.

Alwyn Oswald Laurence Stevens
Flying Officer, RAFVR, 99 Squadron. Killed in action on 7th November 1940, aged 23. Interred in Felixstowe New Cemetery, block B, section L, grave 24.

Elected 1937. Rowed for Trinity College, Oxford, both in the Ladies Plate and the Wyfolds in 1937, and in the Grand in 1938.

Ian Reginald Winn Stileman
Sub Lieutenant, RNVR. Killed in action on board the special service, Q-ship HMS Cape Howe on 21st June 1940, west of the Isles of Scilly. Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial, panel 44, col. 2. Elected 1939. Son of Commander Arthur M C Stileman, RN.

Philip John Stone
Flight Lieutenant, RAFVR, 50 Squadron. Killed in action on 13th June 1943, aged 25, and interred with four other crew members in Tubbergen (Reutum) R C Cemetery, Netherlands, row U, grave 3. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Elected 1935. Rowed in the Thames Cup in 1939.

Anthony Beresford Tisdall
Flying Officer RAFVR, 224 Squadron. Died in an accident on board a Lockheed Hudson on 16th October 1940, aged 21, and interred in Killead (St Catherine) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Aldergrove, Northern Ireland, section 24, grave 7.

Elected 1938. Rowed for Brasenose College, Oxford, in the Thames Cup in 1937, the Visitors’ in 1938, and in both the Visitors and the Wyfolds in 1939.

THE SIXES AND SEVENS CLUB

Some of you may not be aware of “The Sixes and Sevens Club”, made up of those Members who rowed during those two decades. The once a year social occasion, normally a lunch held in the Club, is a good time to catch up with old friends, keep up with Club events and activities, and to contribute a little to projects that enhance the look of the Club premises.

One of the projects has been the purchase of four Chesterfield chairs for the Fairbairn Room.

Two of the four chesterfield chairs bought by the 6s and 7s club in the Fairbairn room on Boat Race Day (13 April 2025).

A number of other projects have been completed or are under way.

Alan Foster
Trustee, 6s&7s Club

REPORTING SAFETY INCIDENTS

All members are reminded that if you are involved in or witness a water safety incident, you are required to report it using the following email address – safety@londonrc.org.uk

The Club will file any necessary reports on your behalf with British Rowing and the PLA. Members should not submit reports directly to either body.

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

My thanks to everyone who has contributed to this edition of the London Roar. If you have an idea for an article or would be interested in submitting a piece for inclusion in a future edition, please email me on miles.preston@londonrc.org.uk

Please do not submit an article without first liaising with me.

Miles Preston
Editor of The London Roar