MEMORIAL EDITION
To commemorate the association with London Rowing Club of our Patron
His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., K.T.
10th June 1921 - 9th April 2021
Portrait of HRH in the Fairbairn Room, donated by a member in 2006.
The Duke of Edinburgh became Patron of the Club at the age of 31 in 1952, the year when HM Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne. He therefore held office for 69 years.
His election was announced at the 1952 Annual Dinner later on in the autumn by the President, C W (Jock) Wise. The Duke of Edinburgh had had some experience of ocean rowing, in the Sea of Marmara, Turkey, when he served on HMS Magpie based at Malta.
1956 – THE CENTENARY
Four years after taking office as Patron, HRH sent a message to the Club to mark its centenary in 1956. The celebrations included the commissioning of a painting by Cosmo Clark CBE, which hangs in the Long Room, and the purchase of a specially designed coaching launch, Casamajor, still in use today (and which was to feature in HRH’s visits in 1981 and 2006).
1981 – THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY
HRH visited the Club for the first time in 1981 when the Club celebrated its 125th anniversary. A booklet was produced to mark the anniversary from which the black and white photographs below are taken.
HRH being presented to (L to R) Keith Ticehurst (Captain), Archie Nisbet OBE (Vice President), Peter Coni OBE QC (Vice President) and David King (Hon House Steward).
Departing in Casamajor for the rowpast of crews. Farn Carpmael (President, back to the camera, with HRH), Ticehurst, Coni and Nisbet amongst those in attendance on board.
Farn Carpmael, President, giving a welcome address in the Long Room to HRH, who had unveiled the plaque pictured above, to mark the occasion of his visit.
1998 – HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA
In 1998 HRH (wearing an LRC tie) visited Henley Royal Regatta when London won the Thames Challenge Cup, beating Bowbridge BC by 2/3 length in 6m. 35 secs. Two of the crew, Ben Hopkins (on the left, with HRH) and Tom Atkinson (exiting right), both from Perth, Western Australia, receive their medals and the trophy at the prizegiving.
2006 – THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY
The Patron was again invited to the Club in 2006 on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. He christened a new eight, and once again he was invited to go on board Casamajor to witness a rowpast of Club crews. He also unveiled a painting, to replace the ‘1860 portrait’ that was lost owing to enemy action in World War II; the painting hangs in the Members’ Room.
Reception line for the visit, with L to R, Mike Baldwin (Vice President), Chris Sprague (Committee Chairman, who has evidently just shared a joke with HRH), and Paul Reedy (Chief Coach). Doggett’s winners are on parade behind in their uniform. Hidden behind HRH is Mike Williams, President.
HRH christens the new eight ‘Edinburgh’, witnessed by, L to R, Mike Williams, Mike Baldwin, Paul Reedy, and Doug Melvin (Vice President). This boat was used by the Club’s successful Thames Challenge Cup ‘A’ crew two months later at Henley.
Casamajor departing upstream for the rowpast of crews.
HRH inspecting close up the copy of the ‘1860 portrait’ by Theo Ramos that he had just unveiled.
With Mike Williams and Dan Topolski. James Crowden in the background.
With Christopher Dodd, author of the Club’s history, and Theo Ramos.
Speaking to Helen Mangan and other women members.
With (from the 2004 Thames Cup winning crew) Philip Beard, Martin Haycock, Dan Pring, and Andrew MacFarlane.
With James Waite and Tom Killick.
During HRH’s visit, his standard flew from the Club flagpole.
2006 – HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA
London ‘A’ crew, in “Edinburgh”, progressing up the Henley course on its way to victory over Tideway Scullers in the final of the Thames Challenge Cup, by 1½ lengths in 6m 28s.
2018 – THE CENTENARY OF THE ARMISTICE
HRH’s last message to the Club was for a booklet the Club produced to honour the fifty Members who lost their lives in World War I.
APRIL 2021 – IN MEMORIAM
A minute’s silence in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh was witnessed by a group of Club rowers and scullers at the Mile Post, on a beautiful Spring day. This took place at the same time as the funeral service held at 3.00 p.m. on Saturday, April 17th, in St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
Amongst those who took part in the memorial outing (led by the President, Mike Baldwin, stroking a 4x), were: Andrew Boyle, Kathleen Curran, Alex Fothergill, Peter Halford, Ben Helm, Eddie Markes, and Chris Rumboll.
A message from our President Mike Baldwin on the passing of our royal patron HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
“The whole Club is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of HRH The Prince Philip, the Club’s Patron for the last 69 years.
Prince Philip visited the Club for its two big anniversaries, in 1981 for the 125th, and in 2006 for our 150th. He seemed to greatly enjoy both occasions, over-staying his allotted time.
When he presented the prizes at Henley in 1998, he did us the honour of wearing the Club tie, very appropriate in a year when LRC were among the prizewinners, winning the Thames Cup.
I am sure all will wish to send our deepest condolences to The Queen and The Royal Family on their sad loss.”
Mike Baldwin
President, London Rowing Club
