1943 QLD GPS Head of the River

1st Brisbane Grammar School & Church of England Grammar School

B.G.S. - Bow: J. E. Farr, 2: L. J. Lamlurt, 3: R. R. Pilbeams, Str: R. F. Jame, Cox: B. J. Whelan 

C.E.G.S. - Bow: G. L. Jones, 2: P. G. S. Giles, 3: G. S. Ethell, Str: P. McTaggart, Cox: H. M. Friend, Coach: J. A. Thompson

3rd Brisbane Boys' College - Bow: P. I. P. Hamilton 10st 2lbs, 2: D. H. McClymont 11st 6lbs, 3: F. J. Hebbel 13st, Str: W. E. Bengston 12st 5lbs, Cox: E. R. Whelan 7st 7lbs

4th The Southport School - Bow: R. Young, 2: G. Gill, 3: M. Ferrier, Str: L. Ruhno, Cox: A. Johnson 

Brisbane Boys' College First Crew 1943, from left to right, E. R. Whelan, W. E. Bengston, F. J. Hebbel, D. H. McClymont, P. I. P. Hamilton.

1943 Church of England Grammar School First IV - Unofficial Head of the River Champions with Brisbane Grammar School 

"The firsts provided a capital finish, in which Brisbane Grammar and Church of England Grammar tied for first place, with Brisbane Boys' College a close third.

At the start CEGS and BBC went into the lead and Southport dropped out. "Churchies" led till 200 yards from the finish with BGS close and BBC two lengths away. BGS finished well and drew level with CEGS as the finish was reached:

Page 6, The Telegraph, Saturday 1st May 1943 Edition via Trove

"On the big day the water was very rough. B.G.S. in No. 1 position, and C.E.G.S. got away first, with B.B.C. and T.S.S. slightly slower off the mark. After the racing start and the first dozen strokes, B.G.S. and C.E.G.S. led by about half a canvas from B.B.C., who held a similar lead over T.S.S. At this juncture T.S.S. was unfortunate enough to have an accident with stroke's seat, which forced them to pull out.

Almost to half mile B.B.C. gave a hard dozen and drew up with the leaders. However, the rough water made the rowing much more strenuous, and also prevented us using our leg drive to the greatest extent. [B.B.C.'s] lack of stamina began to tell, and B.G.S. and C.E.G.S. still together, began to pull away, and crossed the line together. B.B.C. struggled on to cross the line almost three lengths behind the winners."

Page 53, The Portal, December 1943 Edition via Trove

1st Church of England Grammar School - Bow: G. B. Wilson, 2: F. S. Bowley, 3: H. B. Lowes, Str: H. Oldmeadow, Cox: R. J. Hurley, Coach: J. A. Thompson

2nd Brisbane Grammar School & The Southport School 

B.G.S. - Bow: A. H. Cooke, 2: N. Beer, 3: B. E. Hirschfield, Str: R. P. Buckley, Cox: R. G. Ball 

T.S.S. - Bow: L. Vann, 2: R. Bell, 3: P. Gale, Str: C. McDougall, Cox: P. Roach 

4th Brisbane Boys' College - Bow: D. B. McLennan 9st, 2: D. B. Nimmo 9st 9lbs, 3: D. T. Loosemore 9st 4lbs, Str: W. F. Kerr 9st 8lbs, Cox: B. N. Richards 8st 

"In the seconds' race, the four entrants got away together and after the racing start and the dozen, one could hardly give anyone an advantage. After settling down, C.E.G.S. began to pull away, followed by B.G.S. until at the half-mile there was not more than a length between the crews. However the heavier crews began to pull away still further and just before the sprint T.S.S. gained an advantage over [B.B.C.'s] light crew. The placings were: C.E.G.S. 1st; B.G.S. and T.S.S. 2nd and B.B.C. 4th"

Page 54, The Portal, December 1943 Edition via Trove 

1st Church of England Grammar School III - Bow: I. H. McLelland, 2: G. S. Briggs, 3: Long, Str: Pixley, Cox: H. J. Falconer, Coach: J. A. Thompson 

2nd Brisbane Grammar School - Bow: R. M. Coates, 2: R. B. MacIntyre, 3: B. D. Paulsen, Str: R. A. James, Cox: R. D. Midsor

3rd Brisbane Boys' College - Bow: B. A. Junner 9st 2lbs, 2: A. H. Donaldson 9st 9lbs, 3: G. Brandon 9st 2lbs, Str: E. R. Sneyd 9st 4lbs, Cox: P. Dawson 7st 

4th Church of England Grammar School IV - Bow: Parker, 2: F. Anson, 3: Sutton, Str: Hyne, Cox: Pidgeon 

The Race Described 

"In the race for the third crews, four crews lined up, C.E.G.S. having two entrants. B.B.C. got away well, and at the end of the start and dozen were leading by a canvas. However, [B.B.C] were handicapped by [their] lightness, and C.E.G.S. 3rd crew took the lead. In the sprint [B.B.C.] were narrowly defeated by B.G.S. for second place."

Page 54, The Portal December 1943 Edition via Trove