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T
HE
S
CHOOL
’
S
‘E
LITE
’ R
OWING
IV 1911
The custom until the 1930s was for the School to be usually represented by an Elite IV rather than an VIII. While the larger crews were in existence as far back as 1897, the
lack of numbers of would-be oarsmen at the School restricted the justification of leasing the larger craft. Another key factor was the incredible power of the Captains of
Cricket and Rugby, who were unwilling to release any talented players from their squads! This photograph is one of the most memorable in the archives, not for what was
achieved on the water (they only raced twice!) but for what happened to them later on. Four would lose their lives in the war and the only survivor would be so badly
wounded that he had a foot amputated. Left to right A.N.C. Hunt (KIA 1916), J.M. Ramsbottom (severely wounded 1918), C.D. Upstone (died in service 1916),
M.B. Thompson (KIA 1917) and on the ground B.W. Ramsbottom (KIA 1918).