1920 QLD GPS Head of the River

1st Southport School - Bow: F. M. Burkitt 8st 9lb, 2: C. S. Roberts 10st 6lb, 3: A.L. Murphy 10st 4lb, Str: R.H. Moyse 10st 1lb, Cox: J. T. H. Michod 7st

2nd Church of England Grammar School - Bow: G. W. Barlow 9st 6lb, 2: A. I. Fowler 8st 4lb, 3: H. E. Macpherson 10st 8lb, Str: S. B. Skipper 10st 4lb, Cox: A. I. Fowler 7st, Coach: Mr. V. Grenning

3rd Brisbane Boys' College - Bow: O. C. Holland 9st, 2: N. M. Grimes 10st 2lb, 3: M. K. Gibson 10st, Str: R. V. Fletcher 9st, Cox: A. P. Douglas 7st, Coach: Dr. V. McDowall

4th Brisbane Grammar School - Bow: R. L. Harrison 10st, 2: C. J. Grant 10st 3lb, 3: J. B. Klaasson 10st 9lb, Str: E. A. H. Watson 8st 12lb, Cox: C. W. Morgan 7st 8lb

5th Central Technical College - Bow: G. W. Alder 8st 13lb, 2: E. H. Crease 9st 8lb, 3: T. T. Straughan 10st 4lb, Str: L. O. Bancroft 10st 11lb, Cox: F. Kunze 7st

Brisbane Boys' College Crew, All Schools' Race, 1920

Standing: O.C. Holland (bow), M.K. Gibson (3)
Sitting: R.V. Fletcher (stroke), Dr. V. McDowall (coach), N.M. Grimes (2)
Front: A.P. Douglas (cox)

Clayfield College in the All Schools' Championship regatta

Church of England Grammar School 1920 All Schools' Crew

Standing: T.P.I. Fowler (2), H.E. Macpherson (3)
Seated: G.W. Barlow (bow), A.I. Fowler (cox), Mr. V. Grenning (coach), S.B. Skipper (stroke)

In 1948, Church of England Grammar School commemorated H. E. Macpherson, the School's 3 seat in their inaugural All-schools' rowing race entry, by naming a foar-oared boat in his honour which they purchased that year. Horace Edward Macpherson was number 15 on the school roll attending 1913-1920. He was the School’s first Captain of Rowing in 1920 and as mentioned earlier, a member of the School’s first crew to compete in the Head of the River, finishing a fine second over 1 mile on the Hamilton Reach. He was also the first old boys to join the school council. His son followed in his footsteps becoming captain of Rowing in 1949.

First Four, Brisbane Grammar School 1920 All Schools' Crew

C.J.R. Grant, J.B. Klaassen (absent), R.L. Harrison, E.A.H. Watson (captain), C.W. Morgan (cox)

The Race Described

The five crews got away to strong starts. The Southport crew appeared to to be rocking on account of poor timing but soon regained composure and tempo to nose into the lead after the first 100 yards.

Their lead was short lived though with Southport being displaced by Clayfield and Church of England Grammar School with Brisbane Grammar and Central Technical College bringing up the rear of the the field.

At the half-mile, it seemed that the Lawless Cup would be decided by a battle between Churchie and Clayfield who were neck and neck with Southport lagging a length behind. Southport however found another gear with 400 yards to go and rowing with good swing, the southern crew began rapidly reigning in the break away leaders.

Churchie and Clayfield were fighting out a desperate finish yet it was Southport who shot out with a fine sprint in the last 100 yards.

Harnessing energy from the cheering crowds, the Southport crew surpassed their Brisbane based contemporaries to win the Lawless Cup by three quarters of a length through a magnificent final dash for the post. Church of England Grammar came in second with a three-quarter length advantage over Clayfield.

Brisbane Grammar School and Central Technical College were both some lengths behind.