On going up to Trinity College, Cambridge from Oundle, Richard Beesly rowed at a number four for the winning crew in the Boat Races of 1927, 1928, and 1929, this latter success coming when he was president of the Cambridge University Boat Club. In the 1928 Olympic four, Beesly rowed at number two when, as in 1924, Britain’s crew were all from the same Cambridge college. Thus it was not only Great Britain but also Trinity College, Cambridge who successfully defended their Olympic coxless fours title in 1928. In 1932, Richard Beesly joined Guest Keen and Nettleford as a management trainee and enjoyed a successful business career which was only interrupted by the war when he served with the Ministry of Supply. In 1945 he acquired a controlling interest in a light engineering firm and pioneered the introduction of mobile forestry saws and mechanical hedge cutters. He also farmed, at Ashford Hall, Shropshire, and it was there that Richard Beesly met his death when attacked and instantly killed by a bull.
Great Britain