Arthur Wiggins

Arthur Wiggins was educated at Eton and New College, Oxford. At Eton he was an all-round sportsman and, as a rower, became Captain of the Boats. He also played rugby for their first XV, was a fine high jumper, and took part in tug-of-war.

At Oxford, Wiggins rowed for New College and was a three-time Blue 1912-14. In the latter year he was president of the Oxford University Boat Club. Wiggins made his Henley début in 1910 when he was in the Eton eight that won the Ladies’ Challenge Plate. In his first year at Oxford, 1911, Wiggins reached the final of the University Challenge Sculls and helped New College win their first University coxless fours title in nine years. He was also a member of the New College eight that won the silver medal for Great Britain at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

After leaving Oxford, Wiggins rowed with both the Leander and Grenadier Guards Rowing Clubs, of which he was a serving officer. He had joined the Territorial Force as a cadet from Oxford in 1914 before being commissioned into the Grenadier Guards. When he retired in November 1937, Wiggins had attained the rank of lieutenant colonel. He regularly won events at the Guards annual regatta and was still rowing at the age of 40. He was also a steward at the Henley Royal Regatta and coach to the Oxford Boat Race crew.