Charles Sergel

The son of a missionary, Charles Sergel was educated at Monkton School near Bath, and rowed for them at the 1930 Henley Royal Regatta. He then went on to read medicine at Clare College, Cambridge, and became a three-time rowing Blue in 1931-33, appearing on the winning crew each time. He was president of the Cambridge University Boat Club in the latter year. After their 1932 success, the Cambridge eight, representing Leander, went on to win the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley and then competed at the Los Angeles Olympics where they finished fourth. Sergel was the first Old Monktonian to row at the Olympics.

After university, Sergel completed his medical training at St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, and then went to Uganda in 1937 to do missionary work. He joined the East African Medical Corps during World War II, in which he attained the rank of Major. Sergel remained in Uganda after the hostilities, working in the Mengo Hospital in Kampala. He returned to England in 1952 and went into general practice in Cambridgeshire. He retired to Milford-on-Sea in 1976 where he could pursue his pastime of sailing. Sadly, he died of a fatal heart attack shortly after taking his boat out on 21 May 1980.