An Olympian at War, a biography of Jack Beresford by his son John Beresford

The Leander Trust Library at the Leander Club in Henley-on-Thames is proud to present to you John Beresford, son of the legendary Jack Beresford, a British rower who won five medals at five Olympic Games in succession in the early 20th century. John Beresford is the author of Jack’s biography An Olympian at War. The evening is all in aid of the Leander Trust. A finger buffet will be served in the beautiful club house.

Please purchase tickets direct from the organiser (not via Leander Club) by clicking here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-talk-john-beresford-an-olympian-at-war-tickets-788944001747?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Historically, men have had two great chances to prove their mettle; in battle and in sport. While many are aware that Jack Beresford was one of Britain’s greatest oarsmen, this affectionate but unsentimental tribute by his son, John, reveals what few know, that Beresford served his country with distinction in war as well as in peace, and both with a modesty that is usually indicative of true merit.

It is commonly said, show me the boy and I’ll show you the man, and this work reveals that Jack the schoolboy, the soldier and the sportsman was driven by the same strict principals of duty and hard work throughout his life.

This is, says John, the story that his Father never wrote. It is also a story with a delicious (if vicious) irony; the German bullet that wounded 19-year-old 2nd Lieutenant Beresford in 1918 led to him abandoning rugby and taking up rowing. Eighteen years later, the German favourites to win the Olympic Double Sculls paid the price of Jack’s change of sport as, in the final’s last 100 metres, Dick Southwood and Jack Beresford rowed them to a standstill to win Olympic Gold.

The Leander Trust is a registered charity (No. 284631) to advance the education of young people and their physical education by providing facilities – including grant awards – to enable and encourage rowing and sculling; and to help by providing facilities for recreation for those who need such facilities because of their youth, social or economic circumstances. A short presentation will be held to illustrate the benefit of the Trust.