Karl Vernon

German-born Karl Vernon was a long-time member of the Thames Rowing Club. He joined them in 1905, having previously being a member of the Polytechnic RC. In 1906 he teamed up with fellow Thames member Julius Beresford and they were runners-up in the Silver Goblets at Henley three years in succession, 1907-09. It was not all runners-up spots at Henley for Vernon, however, because, along with Beresford, Charles Rought, and Bruce Logan, he was in the Thames four that won the Stewards’ Challenge Cup in 1909 and 1911. The quartet were invincible at that time and were rarely beaten. The four, along with cox Geoffrey Carr, went on to win the silver medal at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

During World War I, Vernon served as a lieutenant with the Royal Army Medical Corps and was awarded the Military Medal. He returned to rowing after the War and won a third Henley title in 1919 as a member of the Thames eight that won the Fawley Cup. In 1922, he reached the Silver Goblets final for a fourth time when he finished second again at the age of 42, when partnering with Harold West. In 1927 Vernon rowed in the Silver Goblets, 21 years after making his début in the event with Julius Beresford.

Vernon was appointed captain of Thames RC in 1930 and continued rowing beyond his 50th birthday. He was later a vice-president of the club, and in 1932 was appointed to an Amateur Rowing Association sub-committee set up to find the best British team for the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics.

In his younger days Vernon was a middleweight boxer with the Polytechnic BC and was also a good rugby player with the London County Council team. He also the club’s first honorary secretary upon its official formation in 1903. By profession, Vernon was an architect with the London County Council, and was a fine artist who specialised in etching work.