Jack McD Jones
Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC)
The Club's 1998-99 annual report provided the following obituary of Jack.
Jack Jones was one of our longest serving members. Along with Henry Guinn, Alec Dobbie, Graham Richardson, John Seammen, Arthur Atkins and Norm Cairnes he was one of a group of present members who had represented the Club at regattas prior to the second world war, more than sixty years ago. He joined the club as a junior members in 1937 racing for the most part in the lightweight crews.
Jack Jones with fellow Mercs members cooling off at Rosebud on the way to Sorrento - late 1930s
Left to right: Jack Jones, Clive Ward, Deane Morgan, Eddie Jones, unknown
Jack never achieved senior ranks in regatta rowing probably because he was on active service at the time and age when normally he would have done so. He did not return to active rowing after the war. He was one who simply enjoyed rowing and was regularly at the Club for Sunday morning outings. In more recent years he purchased both a single and double scull so that he could arrange his rowing at times to suit him best.
Jack and his wife Patricia were part of the group of members who journeyed to Henley on Thames in 1981 as part of the Club's centenary celebration. While he participated with enthusiasm in the social side of the regatta his interest was in the rowing and each day would find him in the stand with his binoculars assessing the merits of the crews and enjoying the rowing.
Jack was not one who sought or achieved great success on the water, he just enjoyed his years at Mercantile for the company and the sport.
Andrew Guerin
February 2023