Harold Rickett

Harold Rickett was one the most widely respected men in rowing and held such important posts as chairman of the Henley Royal Regatta, and nine months before his death was appointed president of the Amateur Rowing Association. Sadly ill-health forced him to resign from the post, just days before he passed away. Rickett was president of the Leander Club and he Youth Rowing Council, and was also the umpire of the 1938 Boat Race. In 1966 he was awarded the CBE for services to rowing.

On the water, Rickett was a Cambridge Blue three times, 1930-32, and was on the winning eight each time. He also won the University Fours in 1929 and in 1930 he won both the University Pairs and Fours titles. At Henley, he won the Visitors’ Challenge Cup, rowing for Third Trinity in 1929, the Silver Goblets with Walter Prideaux in 1930, and the 1932 Grand Challenge Cup, with Leander. Between 1948-52 he coached five Boat Race crews and only in the final year did he lose his first race, only by a canvas. He also coached Leander to victory in the Grand at Henley in 1952 and 1953.