Paul was born in 1933 and was brought up in Flushing just across the water from Falmouth. He obtained a scholarship to Falmouth Grammar School and it was then that his rowing started, as he had to row across to Falmouth each day. After school he did National Service in the Army Education Corps. Then onto Jesus College Cambridge in 1954 to study law, there he learnt to row Jesus style on the Cam. He rowed twice in the Thames Cup at Henley. In 1956 he was in the 1st boat which won the Fairbairn Cup and in 1957 in the 1st Lent boat which bumped Peterhouse, who were Head of the Lent Races. making Jesus Head for that year. He was coached by RPM Bell and AB Fraser, who had both been captains of LRC, so no doubt this persuaded him to join London after leaving university. He rowed in the Grand at HRR in 1959, the crew lost in the first round to Harvard. In the following year London lost by 1 length to Molesey in the first round of the Grand. Those were the days of Chris Davidge and Colin Porter. Also, in the crew were Peter Coni (bow) David King (3) and Colin Kester (6).
Henley House 1959:
Back row - Ant Elworthy, David King, David Bowman, Chris Harris, Paul Littleton, Nick Waters, David Southgate, Bob Beale. Middle row - Robin Coupar, Kees Vlasman, Dennis Ashton, Peter Barnes. Front Row - Ant Dorman, Mike Billinghurst, Robert Walker, Mike Davis.
He was Captain of the Club for the 1964/65 season when again a crew was entered for the Grand, it went onto international trials over a 2000 metre course starting just above Temple Island. He continued his involvement with the Club and later agreed to become the first Chairman of the Committee, this innovation enabled the Captain, Ben Helm to concentrate on the management of the rowing side of the Club as well as providing greater continuity.
He married Anne in 1964 with a full contingent of ushers from LRC; the reception needless to say was held at the Club. Paul worked initially for Prestige and in advertising and then joined Sun Life of Canada as an assurance agent, and later was recruited for senior management and eventually became Vice-President UK.
Paul was joint Secretary of the Metropolitan Amateur Regatta, as it was then called, with Peter Coni from 1962 to 1969, and with Peter Jones for the 1970 and 1973 Regattas. He became Chairman in 1985 and continued until 2006.
The Metropolitan Amateur Regatta started on the Thames at Putney, it was held on weekday evenings in the 1960's, then moved to Thorpe Park, Albert Dock and finally Dorney Lake in 2001. The Course was then still being excavated so racing was over 1500m course. It is now an International Rowing Federation (FISA) international standard 2,000 course with eight racing lanes and a separate channel for crews to go to the start and warm up. It hosted the rowing in the 2012 Summer Olympics. All of which shows the wisdom of the move to Dorney.
Paul steered the Regatta through a difficult financial period when attendance was not always enough to support the major cost of putting on a large regatta. One of his solutions was a fund-raising dinner in the Eton Boathouse at Dorney Lake. Paul strongly supported the move to Dorney and always wanted the Met to be a top regatta, which it has proved to be in respect of its venue, organisation and the crews that compete there.
Luke Dillon, Secretary to the Met, recalls Paul was a “fantastic sense check” for new ways to move the Regatta forward and always had measured and constructive comments. He was a great supporter of the move towards the timed Challenge Eights format and also for more and better trophies for women. In fact, he and Anne contributed a number to the Regatta. As Chairman when faced with a problem he consulted the Committee and drew on their comments to quietly guide the group to a decision. On social occasions he had a keen wit and timing. In all his dealings including with Eton College over the lease of Dorney Lake for the Met, he showed he had the necessary gravitas. Even after he stopped attending the Regatta, he continued to support it and helped his successor, Bernie Regan. He also took on the task of liaising with members of the local Dorney community.
Paul and Anne Littleton were always very generous hosts at their house in Weybridge and very loyal supporters of the Met. While he was Chairman, they provided an excellent and very popular dinner for the Committee each year. As well as being a thank you it provided an opportunity to socialise and bring members together. After he retired as Chairman, he and Anne moved to a lovely apartment overlooking the canal at Weybridge close to its junction with the Thames.
Hugh Dulley
Anne Littleton has sent the following message:
“Anne is joined by their children Sarah Jane, Catherine, Piran and Tamara in thanking all LRC and Met members who were able to come Paul’s funeral on 4th February and also for the many letters of sympathy. They all have very happy memories of visits to LRC and the Met. Paul too was most grateful for all the friendship offered to him throughout the 62 years of his club membership.”
