John Badcock (rower)
Encyclopedia
John Charles Badcock (January 17, 1903 – May 29, 1976), also known as Felix Badcock, was a British
rower
who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics
and in the 1932 Summer Olympics
.
and educated at Merchant Taylor's School
. His family had been in business as boat builders and wharfingers on the River Thames
for nearly a hundred years. Badcock became a member of Thames Rowing Club
and had his first win at Henley Royal Regatta
in 1925 in the Wyfold Challenge Cup
. In 1927 he was in the Thames eight
which won the Grand Challenge Cup
and in the coxless four
which won the Stewards' Challenge Cup
. In 1928 he was again in the winning Thames crews in the Grand and Stewards at Henley. The Thames eight was then chosen to represent Great Britain rowing at the 1928 Summer Olympics
and won the silver medal.
In 1932 he was again in the winning Thames crew in the Stewards Challenge Cup at Henley. The Thames coxless four was then chosen to represent Great Britain rowing at the 1932 Summer Olympics
and won the gold medal in a hard race against the Germans. Badcock was appointed a vice president of Thames Rowing Club in 1936.
In 1934, Badcock married the swimmer, Joyce Cooper, who had one silver and three bronze medals at the 1928 and 1932 Olympics. Their elder son, Felix, rowed for England at the 1958 Commonwealth Games and the younger David son rowed for Oxford in 1958.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
rower
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics
1928 Summer Olympics
The 1928 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1928 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Amsterdam had bid for the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games, but had to give way to war-victim Antwerp, Belgium, and Pierre de...
and in the 1932 Summer Olympics
1932 Summer Olympics
The 1932 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the X Olympiad, was a major world wide multi-athletic event which was celebrated in 1932 in Los Angeles, California, United States. No other cities made a bid to host these Olympics. Held during the worldwide Great Depression, many nations...
.
Life
Badcock was born in West HamWest Ham
West Ham is in the London Borough of Newham in London, England. In the west it is a post-industrial neighbourhood abutting the site of the London Olympic Park and in the east it is mostly residential, consisting of Victorian terraced housing interspersed with higher density post-War social housing...
and educated at Merchant Taylor's School
Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood
Merchant Taylors' School is a British independent day school for boys, originally located in the City of London. Since 1933 it has been located at Sandy Lodge in the Three Rivers district of Hertfordshire ....
. His family had been in business as boat builders and wharfingers on the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
for nearly a hundred years. Badcock became a member of Thames Rowing Club
Thames Rowing Club
Thames Rowing Club is a rowing club situated on the River Thames in Putney, London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1860.-Club colours:Red, white and black in stripes, the white stripe lying between the red and black and being of half their width....
and had his first win at Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...
in 1925 in the Wyfold Challenge Cup
Wyfold Challenge Cup
The Wyfold Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless fours at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from a single rowing club. Boat clubs from any university, college or secondary school are not permitted.The trophy...
. In 1927 he was in the Thames eight
Eight (rowing)
An Eight is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for eight rowers, who propel the boat with sweep oars, and is steered by a coxswain, or cox....
which won the Grand Challenge Cup
Grand Challenge Cup
The Grand Challenge Cup is a rowing competition for men's eights. It is the oldest and most prestigious event at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs...
and in the coxless four
Coxless four
A coxless four is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for four persons who propel the boat with sweep oars.The crew consists of four rowers, each having one oar. There are two rowers on the stroke side and two on the bow side...
which won the Stewards' Challenge Cup
Stewards' Challenge Cup
The Stewards' Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless fours at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs. Two or more clubs may combine to make an entry....
. In 1928 he was again in the winning Thames crews in the Grand and Stewards at Henley. The Thames eight was then chosen to represent Great Britain rowing at the 1928 Summer Olympics
Rowing at the 1928 Summer Olympics
Rowing at the 1928 Summer Olympics featured 7 events, for men only. The competitions were held from August 2, 1928 to August 10, 1928.-Medal summary:-Participating nations:A total of 245 rowers from 19 nations competed at the Amsterdam Games:...
and won the silver medal.
In 1932 he was again in the winning Thames crew in the Stewards Challenge Cup at Henley. The Thames coxless four was then chosen to represent Great Britain rowing at the 1932 Summer Olympics
Rowing at the 1932 Summer Olympics
Rowing at the 1932 Summer Olympics featured 7 events, for men only. The competitions were held from August 9, 1932 to August 13, 1932 at the Marine Stadium in Long Beach, California.-Medal summary:-Participating nations:...
and won the gold medal in a hard race against the Germans. Badcock was appointed a vice president of Thames Rowing Club in 1936.
In 1934, Badcock married the swimmer, Joyce Cooper, who had one silver and three bronze medals at the 1928 and 1932 Olympics. Their elder son, Felix, rowed for England at the 1958 Commonwealth Games and the younger David son rowed for Oxford in 1958.
Henley Royal Regatta
- 1925 - Wyfold Challenge CupWyfold Challenge CupThe Wyfold Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless fours at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from a single rowing club. Boat clubs from any university, college or secondary school are not permitted.The trophy...
- 1927 - Grand Challenge CupGrand Challenge CupThe Grand Challenge Cup is a rowing competition for men's eights. It is the oldest and most prestigious event at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs...
- 1927 - Stewards' Challenge CupStewards' Challenge CupThe Stewards' Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless fours at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs. Two or more clubs may combine to make an entry....
- 1928 - Grand Challenge Cup
- 1928 - Stewards' Challenge Cup
- 1932 - Stewards' Challenge Cup