Summary
Karl Vernon MM (19 June 1880 – 11 July 1973), sometimes known by his nickname The Bean, was a British rower and coach who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.[1]
Karl Vernon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 19 June 1880 |
| Died | 11 July 1973 |
| Occupation | Rower |
| Olympic medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's rowing | ||
 |
1912 Stockholm | Coxed four |
Life edit
Vernon was born in Neuenahr, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.[1] He joined Thames Rowing Club in around 1904, first appearing at Henley Royal Regatta in 1906, with Julius Beresford as runners-up in Goblets and in a Thames Cup eight (which also included Bruce Logan). Beresford and Vernon were runners-up in Silver Goblets again in 1907 and 1908.[2]
In the Autumn of 1907, having become frustrated by their inability to impress the Thames coaches, Vernon and Beresford formed a new four with Logan and Charlie Rought. This four (with Vernon in the 2 seat) would stay together, on and off, for the next five years, winning the Stewards' Challenge Cup at Henley in 1909 and 1911.[1]
Then, with cox Geoffrey Carr, the Thames Rowing Club coxed four won the silver medal for Great Britain rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics.[3]
In the First World War, he served with the Royal Army Medical Corps and was awarded the Military Medal.[1][4]
Vernon later went on to become a regular coach at Thames and at numerous University clubs. In 1954 he had all his trophies and medals melted down and made into a trophy for the Head of the River Race.
He was Captain of Thames from 1930–32 and was elected a Vice President of the Club in 1943. Outside rowing he was an architect, spending at least some of his career at the London County Council.[1] He also designed an extension to the Thames clubhouse. He was a talented draughtsman and sketcher; works by Vernon were frequently used as prizes in local regattas.
Vernon was a vegetarian and this led to his lifelong nickname "The Bean".[5]
Achievements edit
Olympic Games edit
- 1912 – Silver, Coxed Four
Henley Royal Regatta edit
- 1909 – Stewards' Challenge Cup
- 1911 – Stewards' Challenge Cup
- 1919 Victory Regatta – Fawley Cup
References edit
- ^ a b c d e "Karl Vernon". Olympedia. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ^ Henley Royal Regatta Results of Final Races 1839–1939 Archived 9 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Sports Reference Olympic Sports – Karl Vernon
- ^ Page, Geoffrey (1991). Hear The Boat Sing. Kingswood Press. ISBN 0-413-65410-9.
- ^ Mallory, Peter (2011). "The Sport of Rowing: A Comprehensive History" (PDF). Row Perfect. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 September 2023.
External links edit
- Profile