Murray S Riley
Born 5 October 1925.
Police Rowing Club & Sydney Rowing Club (NSW)
1950 – Australian Test Race – Men’s Double Scull – First
1950 – British Empire Games – Men’s Double Scull bow - Gold
1952 – Olympic Games – Men’s Double Scull stroke – Eliminated in repechage
1952 – Henley Royal Double Scull stroke
1954 – Australian Test Race – Men’s Double Scull – First
1954 – British Empire & Commonwealth Games– Men’s Double Scull bow – Gold
1956 – Australian Test Race – Men’s Double Scull – First
1956 – Olympic Games – Double Scull – Bronze
1958 – Australian Test Race – Men’s Double Scull – First
1958 – British Empire & Commonwealth Games – Men’s Double Scull selected but withdrew at regatta due to illness.
1958 – Henley Royal – Men’s Double Scull
Murray Riley was a champion sculler and often partnered with Merv Wood in the double scull. His results are superb and is one of the sports highly rated athletes.
Sadly his rowing exploits were overshadowed by his life after rowing.
Murray Riley receiving his Olympic medal in 1956
Whilst his double scull partner Merv Wood rose to become Chief Commissioner of the NSW Police Force, Murray went the other way to be run out of the Police Force and lead a criminal life. He led a very colourful criminal career which is well documented. Obviously Murray's criminal life did not reflect well on Merv Wood and it is a credit to Merv that he was able to rise to such professional heights with this undeserved taint.
Andrew Guerin
May 2020