Herbert S Dickinson
Albert Park Rowing Club, now Albert Park South Melbourne Rowing Club (VIC)
Herbert Spencer Dickinson was born in Thorpdale, Victoria. Herb began rowing at Wesley College, winning the Head of the River in 1909-11. Upon Charles Donald's retirement from coaching at Wesley College, he singled out one oarsman from the hundreds coached, Herb Dickinson. It was reported in the newspaper article of this occasion that Capt H S (Herb) Dickinson was the finest oarsman to pass through Donald's hands at Wesley.
He went on to win for Albert Park in the senior pair, four and eight as well as champion fours and eights from 1912 to 1914.
He represented Victoria in the Interstate Eight in 1912-14, winning once.
‘Dicky’ was a 22 year old accountant when he enlisted on 17th August, 1914 as a private in the 5th Battalion. His war diary details the sinking of the SS Emden off Cocos Island and he was part of the first landing at Gallipoli. He was promoted to second lieutenant after the Second Battle of Krithia, transferred to the 57th battalion in 1916 and sent to France. By May 1916 he had been promoted to Captain.
He was mentioned in General Haig’s despatches in April 1917.
Herb was killed in action on 25th September, 1917 in Polygon Wood and is buried in the Huts Cemetery, Dickebusch, Belgium.
1912 Victorian Crew with Herb in the four seat
Some details:
1909 - APS Head of the River, Wesley College First Crew, bow - First
1910 - Footscray Regatta, Men's Maiden Pair, bow - First
1910 - APS Head of the River, Wesley College First Crew, seven seat - First
1911 - Seymour Regatta, Men's Senior Four, stroke - First
1911 - APS Head of the River, Wesley College First Crew, stroke - First
1912 - Nagambie Regatta, Men's Senior Four, three seat - First
1912 - Melbourne Regatta, Men's Senior Pair, stroke - First
1912 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship four seat – First
1913 - Victorian Men's Eight Championship, five seat - First
1913 - Melbourne Regatta, Men's Senior Four, stroke - First
1913 - Geelong and Barwon Regatta, men's Senior Eight, five seat - First
1913 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship four seat – Did not finish
1914 - Albert Park Lake Regatta - Men's Senior Four, stroke - First
1914 - Geelong and Barwon Regatta, Men's Senior Eight, stroke - First
1914 - Upper Yarra Regatta, Men's Senior Four, stroke - First
1914 - Ballarat Regatta, Men's Senior Eight, stroke - First
1914 - Victorian Men's Eight Championship, stroke - First
1914 - Victorian Men's Four Championship, three seat - First
1914 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship stroke – Fourth
Authors: Grace Blake and Andrew Guerin
July 2021
Sources include:
- http://www.apsmrc.com/Resources/Documents/Honour%20Rolls/Herb%20Dickinson.pdf
- The Victorian Oarsman by John Lang, Messina & Co, 1919