Australians at 1913 Henley Royal Regatta
Diamond Challenge Sculls
Time: 8 minutes 49 seconds.
Cecil L McVilly - Derwent Rowing Club (TAS) def E D P Pinks, of London Rowing Club in the final.
R D Burnell in his book Henley Regatta, A History published by Oxford University Press in 1957 reported on the race as follows.
The Diamonds went abroad for the fourth time in their history, the winner being C. McVilly, of Tasmania. He should certainly have been a popular winner but, unfortunately, he suffered for the feeling which had been aroused, in recent Regattas, on the question of steering. He was severely criticized for washing E. D. P. Pinks, of London R.C., in the final, and when he stepped up to receive his prize he was received in silence-neither a very charitable, nor a creditable, performance on the part of the Henley crowd.
Readers are referred to the rower profile of McVilly which demonstrates his excellence as a sculler and coach. In 1914 he won the Interstate Sculling Championship at the same regatta as he coached the winning Interstate Eight Oared Championship. An extraordinary feat.
Not only was he known as a great rower and coach, he served with distinction in WWI being awarded the Military Cross for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty.
It is fitting that the McVilly-Pearce Pins are co-named in his honour.
Sources
Henley Regatta A History by R D Burnell published by Oxford University Press in 1957, pages 144 and 273
Image from the Ross Soden collection