a phelps dynasty

TH

EP

HE

lP

SD

yN

AST

yM

aurice P

help

s

THE PHElPS DyNASTy

The Story of a Riverside Family

by Maurice Phelps

The Phelps Dynasty is the story of a riverside

family – its pedigree, its rowing tradition and its

close association with the Thames. For

generations it has lived and played on the river’s

shores and worked on its tides. But most

importantly it has competed.

Its rowing achievements are extraordinary. As

professionals, ten of the family won the

Doggett’s Coat and Badge; members won the

World’s Professional Sculling championship and

held the English and European Professional

Sculling titles; when permitted they coached

Diamond and Wingfield sculling winners and

Olympic performers. As professional crews

they were never known to be beaten by an

amateur crew whenever or wherever they were

allowed to perform.

These champions came not from public school

or university environments, but from a hard

underprivileged working background.

It is a story of memorable individuals, their

social environment and their sporting

achievements.

The book in entirety covers ten generations of

the family – nine of which were without

exception apprenticed watermen and

lightermen, scraping a living on the waters of

the Thames. It grapples with the social

conditions which they endured – disease,

multiple infantile death, hard grinding work and

social prejudice. It records their remarkable

sporting achievements in a society which didn’t

want to know. They were tough people – both

wives and husbands – who seemed somehow

to believe that they had something special to

offer.

Although the book presents a serious view of

their lives and the competitive sporting

environment against which they performed, it

also describes a family which had a huge sense

of humour. This book is guaranteed to make

the reader laugh. None of the colourful

characters involved sat down complaining of

their fate, none were grumpy old men; none

blamed society for their lot – they laughed at it

all and just got on with life – they were

remarkable competitors both in their sport and

in the way they lived!

This book tells their story.

Maurice Phelps was always a

reluctant oarsman. Sitting at the feet

of great professionals as a boy – Dan

Cordury, Ernie Barry, Ted Phelps and

others – in their endless talks with his

father, he grew to reject the sport.

Despite high publicity by Hylton

Cleaver and others as the first Phelps

for Oxford, he refused to row

seriously.

Now he deeply regrets that decision

and the disappointment he caused his

father.

He now lives close to the Thames,

owns an Edwin Phelps sculling boat

and has worked with his cousins to

write this book to make some sort of

amends.

This is a story of a family that has been passionate about the River Thames

for over 350 years and probably a lot longer. It has played on it and competed

on it, but primarily it has worked on it.

In a sense it was the professional rowers like the Phelpses (who virtually lived

in their sculling boats), that set the standard in terms of commitment and

dedication that provided the basis and inspiration of today’s international

successes.

From the Foreword by Sir Steve Redgrave

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page ii

The PhelPs DynasTy

a story of a

Riverside Family

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page i

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page ii

The PhelPs DynasTy

a story of a

Riverside Family

by

Maurice Phelps

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page iii

Copyright © Maurice Phelps 2012

First published 2012 by

www.wordsbydesign.co.uk

09 08 07 06 05 04 03 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The right of Maurice Phelps to be identified as the author of this Work

has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents act 1988.

all rights reserved. no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval

system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,

photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher or a

license permitting restricted copying. In the UK such licenses are issued by the Copyright

licensing agency, 90 Tottenham Court Road, london W1P 9he.

IsBn: 978-1-909075-00-9

The cover shows Mr Phelps is Prepared for a Scull by Julia Phelps, c.1985.

The reverse shows six of the Phelps Doggett’s Coat and Badge winners.

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page iv

For and From the Family

“...We go as far back as the thirteenth century.... There are records of the Phelps family

plying here on the Thames as watermen right back to the Middle ages. I suppose knowl-

edge of the Thames is in our blood. We know every current in the water...”

Dedication

v

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page v

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page vi

Acknowledgements

Primarily I must thank my dearest cousin, Julia, for providing the inspiration for the book.

she sadly died in 1993. It would never have been written without her.

all my cousins and my sister have played a monumental part. They wrote the first chapters

on the brothers, patiently went through early drafts and corrected horrendous mistakes. My

thanks to Frances, for her kindness and faultless memory, Michael, for his patience with my

scant knowledge of real rowing, Joan, Rita, alan, David and Ron for their friendship and

provision of critical material.

I am indebted to Christopher Dodd, who has from early days provided encouragement,

advice and opportunities.

In later days I have received high quality advice and material from Tony hancox and

Christopher Meade.

The book strengthend a friendship with Chas newnes, introduced me to the marvellous

George saunders and the remarkable but sadly deceased Tony Owens.

a real thank you to Diana Cook for her valuable criticism.

I must mention with special thanks my ex-work colleague sara hunter, who has produced

all the drafts, organised the photographs and illustrations and has ceaselessly come up with

new ideas.

My two dogs, Matilda and harry, have provided hours of wood-walking, when I have been

able to think.

There will be many mistakes and omissions in the pages – they are all my responsibility. But

if this book isn’t published now, it may never see the light of day.

Oh! and thank you especially darling!

vii

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page vii

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page viii

Contents

FOReWORD xi

aUThOR’s nOTe anD GlOssaRy xiii

PReFaCe xvii

Interlude 1 – the rIver 1

1 a FaMIly WaGeR 3

Interlude 2 – doggett’S Coat and Badge raCe 19

2 The FaMIly BaCKGROUnD 23

Interlude 3 – a Matter of SeleCtIon 37

3 The PROFessIOnal ReGReT 39

Interlude 4 – extraCt froM ‘the henley Standard’ 53

4 ChaRlIe PhelPs (1859 – 1928) 55

Interlude 5 – “PullIng hard” 75

5 eDWIn (TeD) PhelPs (1890 – 1974) 77

Interlude 6 – MuSIC In the nIght 91

6 haRRy ThOMas PhelPs (1893 – 1973) 93

Interlude 7 – CatChIng a thIef 133

7 ThOMas JaMes PhelPs (1896 – 1971) 135

Interlude 8 – PePPer Pot tIMeS 149

8 RIChaRD WIllIaM PhelPs (1897 – 1989) 151

Interlude 9 – a JoyouS day 169

9 ChaRles VesTa PhelPs (1901 – 1984) 173

Interlude 10 – the day the World Changed 177

ix

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page ix

10 JOhn leslIe PhelPs (JaCK) (1903 – 1983) 179

Interlude 11 – a letter to lord MountBatten, June 1977 193

11 WIllIaM FReDeRICK PhelPs (1905 – 1977) 195

Interlude 12 – henley 1962 205

12 eDWIn haRRy PhelPs (1917 – 1979) 209

Interlude 13 – an edWIn PhelPS oWnerShIP 219

13 The BOssIe PhenOMenOn 221

Interlude 14 – the ProCeSSIon 237

14 The enGIne ROOM 239

Interlude 15 – a tIMe to Be Born and a tIMe to dIe 245

15 a FaMIly aFFaIR 247

16 enD PIeCes 251

17 anD Then… PeRhaPs IT Isn’T OVeR aT all! 253

aPPenDIx 1 – The FaMIly ROWInG ReCORD 257

aPPenDIx 2 – FaMIly TRees 259

InDex 267

x

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page x

Foreword

This is a fascinating story and one worth the telling. It is of course a story of oarsmanship,

but it is not the usual tale of Olympic achievement, of University Boat Race grit or even

henley Royal Regatta performances. It contains a lot of that stuff but none of it is the real

essence of the book.

This is a story of a family that has been passionate about the River Thames for over 350

years and probably a lot longer. It has played on it and competed on it, but primarily it has

worked on it. The Phelps family began as wherry men, carrying passengers from one landing

stage to another; they raced on it not for fun but to earn money to feed their families; and

finally they built racing boats for others to use in major rowing events across the world, from

most of which for many years they were denied participation.

Their achievements (and there were many) were set against an environment of hard slog,

poverty and under privilege. yet that seemed only to bring out from them not only

determination and grit but, as importantly, a humour that still resonates across rowing circles

today. There are many laugh-wrenching stories in the book’s pages.

The Phelps generation from the middle of the nineteenth century to the last quarter of the

twentieth century achieved indelible results in a rowing world which for many years

attempted to downplay, if not exclude, so-called ‘artisans’ and people who earned their living

through manual labour. Fortunately now that is history – but important history nevertheless.

But for sheer accident of time, many of us who have relished the sport and gained so much

from it, would not have been allowed to participate in it. In a sense it was the professional

rowers like the Phelpses (who virtually lived in their sculling boats), that set the standard in

terms of commitment and dedication that provided the basis and inspiration of today’s

international successes.

It is somewhat typical of a family that has survived all the changes to river life and the sport

of rowing over the past 350 years that now they boast Oxbridge rowers, Olympic

competitors and World Champions amongst their number – and by all accounts, the next

generation are already afloat, pounding up and down the Thames just as their forefathers

have done for generations before them. They have my heartfelt best wishes.

sir steve Redgrave

xi

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page xi

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page xii

In any sport, there are a range of expressions and titles which are familiar language to the

inner circle, but totally bemuse those listeners or readers who are not part of that specific

sporting world. To assist readers through this book we are providing below a glossary of

some of the more eclectic words used. here they are:

ara – amateur Rowing association.

Blade – flattened or spoon-shaped end of oar or scull; often used as a term for oar.

Bow – forward end of boat.

Bow (man) – the rower in the seat nearest the bow.

Bow Ball – safety ball fitted to sharp stem of racing boat.

Bowside (starboard) – all the rowers whose oars are in the water on the right hand side of the

boat when viewed from the stern.

Button – leather or plastic sheath on oar to prevent it slipping through the rowlock; adjustable

on modern oars.

Canvas – the canvas on fore (front) and aft (back) decks of a boat; in race verdicts the

distance between the bow ball and the bow man’s position.

Catch – the part of the stroke when the blade is put in the water.

Clinker – planking on the side body of the boat, in which the lower edge of a plank overlaps

the upper edge of the one below it.

Cox or Coxswain – the member of the crew responsible for steering the craft.

Coxed four, pair – a four-oar or pair-oar with a coxswain; sometimes known as four with, pair

with.

Coxless four, pair – a four-pair or pair-oar without a coxswain; sometimes known as four

without, straight four, straight pair.

Crab – occurs when rower fails to get the oar out of the water at the end of the stroke; can

result in the rower being ejected from the boat to water.

Crew – rowers who man a boat; american college term for rowing.

dab – a short stroke without power.

deck – covered-over areas at bow and stern of boat.

double – two scullers without cox.

eight – eight rowers with cox.

feather – to turn the blade parallel with the water surface at the start of the recovery to

reduce wind resistance.

fin – a small flat plate perpendicular to the bottom of the boat to aid steering a straight

course.

finish – the part of the stroke just before the blade is taken out of the water.

fixed Pin – a rowlock in which the oar slides between two fixed vertical wooden thole pins.

Author’s note and Glossary

xiii

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page xiii

the Phelps dynasty

four – four rowers with or without cox.

gate – bar across a rowlock to retain the oar.

gig – inboard or outboard-rigged pleasure or racing boat with straight gunwales.

gunwale – the upper edge of the side of a boat.

hands away – the act of turning the oar handle at the finish of the stroke so that the blade

leaves the water and is feathered at the start of the recovery.

Keel – member running along the centre line of a wooden boat to which all other parts are

attached.

lighter – a flat bottomed or other boat for shifting goods between land and sea.

lighterman – waterman who unloads cargo from ships and carries it into port by lighter.

nara – national amateur Rowing association.

oar – a lever approximately 12 feet long by which the rower pulls against the rowlock to

move the boat through the water; sometimes used as a shortened form of oarsman.

outrigger (rigger) – a metal framework or a carbon-fibre-reinforced arm to support the

rowlock which is placed approximately 30 inches (76 cm) from the centre of the boat.

Pair – two rowers with or without a cox.

Port (larboard) – stroke-side, the left-hand side of the boat when facing the bow.

Puddles – whirls left in the water caused by the blade as the rower pulls.

Pulling – rowing or sculling (freshwater); working one oar with both hands (salt water).

Pull-through – the part of the stroke between the catch and the finish.

Quadruple – a shell for four scullers.

rating (beat) – the rate of striking, or the number of strokes per minute that a crew is rowing.

recovery – the part of the stroke cycle between the finish and the catch in which the oar is

feathered and the seat is returned to the aft end of the slide.

regatta – a competitive event raced in boats (regata, Venetian, perhaps from riga (line), aurigare

(to compete in a race), ramigium (rowing)).

release (or finish) – the part of the stroke just before the blade is taken out of the water.

rhythm – the proportion of time occupied on the recovery to the time taken on the pull-

through.

ribs – members between keel and gunwale for supporting the hull.

rig – German rig, Italian rig, standard rig.

rowing (sweep rowing) – using one oar or sweep (freshwater); using two oars (saltwater); see

also Crew.

rowlock (rollock, oarlock) – a bracket which swivels on the end of the outrigger to support the

oar.

rudder – steering device attached to the stern or under the hull of a shell.

rum-tum – a short, wide clinker sculling boat.

run – the distance a boat travels in one stroke.

Sculling – using two oars or sculls (freshwater); using one oar over stern (salt water).

Sculls – short oars used in pairs for singles, doubles and quads.

xiv

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page xiv

glossary

Shell – smooth bottomed racing boat; ‘light shells made of wood’ (samuel hearne, 1776);

‘light narrow racing boat’ (Usa 1873); ‘the floating part of a racing boat’ (Oxford

english Dictionary, 1895); see also eight, four, Pair, Quadruple, double, Single.

Shoulder – reinforcement for thole pins or outriggers.

Single – shell for one sculler.

Skeg – the after part of a boat’s keel.

Skiff – racing boat for single sculler (north of england); clinker pleasure boat for several

passengers, sculled by one, two or three persons (River Thames).

Slide – a seat which moves on wheels on parallel rails.

Standard rig – uniform alternation of outriggers (and therefore oars and rowers) in the boat;

the rower in the seat nearest the stern is usually on stroke side.

Starboard – bow side, the right-hand side of the boat when facing the bow.

Stern – the back of the boat.

Stretcher – a frame with straps or shoes to anchor the rower’s feet.

Stroke – the complete cycle of moving the boat through the water using oars; the rower

seated nearest the stern.

Stroke side (port) – all the rowers whose oars are in the water on the left-hand side of the boat

when viewed from the stern.

Sweep – long oars with narrow blades; see also rowing.

Swivel – a square or round rotating rowlock.

thole – a pin in the gunwale of a boat to keep oar in rowlock.

tingle – a small splice or insertion of timber to repair damage.

tub – half-outrigged gig for training.

Washboard – a narrow strake placed round a boat to keep water out.

Washing out – occurs when the blade comes out of the water during the pull-through before

the finish.

Waterman – a fully apprenticed operator licensed to navigate passenger and other craft on the

Thames.

Wherry – Thames ferry.

Whiff – half-outrigged sculling boat.

xv

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page xv

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page xvi

Preface

like so many worthwhile projects, this one has taken so long to reach any sort of finality.

It began many years ago when some of the Phelps brothers started to collate their river and

rowing memories and achievements. some did it with scrapbooks and diaries, but many did

it (like the great classical story tellers) by word of mouth, passing on their lives with mirthful

tales, embellished over time but always fascinating to hear.

The real start of this project took place in the little angel Pub in henley-on-Thames some

time in 1988, when I had lunch with Julia Phelps (my dearly beloved cousin, and highly

appraised artist), who reintroduced me to my broad family. Over our food and bottle of

wine on that day the idea of writing a history of the family of Phelps emerged. so excited

were we by the concept that we almost ran to the Bohun art Gallery in henley where I

bought her painting ‘Mr Phelps is Prepared for a scull’ – a marvellous memory of that fated

afternoon!

sadly, Julia died in 1993, but the project has not died. On contact with other cousins an

enthusiasm arose to record a remarkable generation – remarkable in its rowing and waterside

reputation, but also renowned for its resilience and gentle humour. at last in 2012, the task

is as near completion as it can ever be. like the beloved River Thames itself, it has proved

impossible to fathom all the depths of the characters involved – they died with so many

secrets intact.

This book comprises contributions from the offspring of the Phelps brothers and sisters. It

tries to tell the story of the generation, which, despite all types of deprivation, had a real

impact upon the rowing world.

This is intended to be a publication praising their remarkable achievements. If it achieves

nothing else for our generation of Phelps it is a written record of our fathers and their

sisters – and it is importantly something to pass on to the next generation.

In its writing we have taken advice from many professional editors and writers. Various

structures have been proposed, including coverage by subject or chronology. however, we

decided to stick with the individual personality structure. It has meant some repetition, for

which we apologise, but we believe it has retained the integrity of the individual characters

involved. The story would be nothing without them.

xvii

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page xvii

the Cricketers Pub

xviii

Personally, I would ask my relations to excuse two intrusions. I have invented some dialogue

and some situations – but fewer than you may think! For many years I would sit at the

Cricketers Pub (sadly no more!) on Putney Common at sunday lunchtime, listening to my

father, harry and his brother, Dick, exchange stories. The stories were often repetitive but

were embellished with such telling. I have tried to reproduce some of the stories and the

language they used. I have then used my memory to reproduce some typical Phelpsian

farandoles – the types of incidents which they talked about so articulately, but which needed

language to give them the drama (normally comic), which would bring them back to life. It

was an impossible task. I have not succeeded. some of the writing is factional, but it is

intended to represent the spirit of their living.

In my opinion that alone has been worth the effort of us all.

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page xviii

1

This book outlines the lives of so many memorable characters – they are the reason the

book has been attempted. however, without exception they are all dominated by a major

presence – the River.

Rising somewhere near Cirencester and flowing in various moods down to the sea, the River

Thames covers some 215 miles and influences on a daily basis the lives of thousands of

people.

The Phelps’ river, however, is largely confined to some one-and-a-half miles from Putney

Bridge to hammersmith Bridge, a tidal reach that dominated the lives of so many characters

who figure prominently in this book.

Compared with other reaches encountered in the journey from source to mouth it is not

outstandingly attractive. It is straight from Putney Bridge to Beverley Brook and then curves

for a mile towards hammersmith Bridge. It is wide and seemingly powerful. It nurses trees

and a walking towpath on the Putney/Barnes side, but beyond Bishop’s Park on the Fulham

side it has been highly developed.

Walking along the Putney embankment on a fine spring or summer day, with high activity

on the water, it can be a joy to view. In the depths of winter, however, it presents a cold and

sullen spectacle, a place which one seeks to leave rapidly to join human company – a

brooding, forbidding, lugubrious spectre.

The family would have seen the river in all its moods, and it would have accepted them as

immutable elements of their lives. For the generation of this book, the Putney embankment

complemented the tidal run of the River – the smell of wood fires on the foreshore, of

varnish in the boathouses, of crunching shingle and soft mud at low tide. That generation

would have known the River radiating good will, sparkling in sunshine, laughing with its

visitors, inviting everyone to enjoy its hospitality. It would have lived with it at its most

ungenerous – cold and bleak, driftwood in the water and on the foreshore, rubbish whirling

where the tide could not reach, lively smelling mud and soft black waves stirring the very

entrails of the river bed.

yet people sought it out. Men and women in depths of despair would lean upon the railings,

perhaps some contemplating suicide and others seeking some form of inspiration; people

Interlude 1

the River

Phelps_SbLayout_v6b:Layout 1 29/04/2012 13:41 Page 1

2

asking questions. It is doubtful whether the River ever gave answers. It just unflinchingly

moved on, keeping its secrets of currents and eddies that it shared only with a few.

The River is a hard task master. It does not tolerate abuse. It has caused many tragedies and

as part of nature has always been totally unforgiving. It needs to be respected and never

trusted. In its eyes everyone is equal.

Perhaps this was part of the fascination for the family. It provided a levelling of social and

class distinction. It could not be bought. It respected only those people who knew its ways,

who could read its moods, who understood its soul. experience and skill was everything –

the river would tolerate nothing else.

the Phelps dynasty

after the BoatraceWatching for the Boatrace

the river and Its MoodsPaintings by Julia Phelps, catching the spirit of the thames


The 9th January 1921 is the date we have chosen to start our story. It is a strange date to

choose, since it is not significant in the history of the family, recording no great race victory

(of which there were many), nor a birth (of which there were more), nor a death (which

happened to them all in due course). however it is a good place to start, since it was a day

when all the major characters in this book were on stage, doing what they all really liked to

do best – moving a boat on the Thames.

even the seeds of this story were sown before this date, probably in the half Moon hotel,

on the lower Richmond Road, Putney, sometime in august of the previous year. Much

always began there. seven thirty in the evening, Charlie Phelps senior had two elbows on the

bar enjoying one of his early pints after a working day tapping copper nails into a racing

eight. next to him stood arthur Readings, a local grocer, supplier of goods to many of the

boathouses along the Putney embankment. The conversation probably went something like

this...

3

Chapter 1

A Family Wager

the half Moon hotel, 1904


“young harry is doing all right Charlie!” arthur offered. harry had won the Doggett’s Coat

and Badge Race a few months beforehand.

Charlie said nothing for a time, and then nodded. “not bad! Got a bloody girl though –

that’ll slow ’im down!”

“you’ve got some others coming up as well, Charlie – handsome lads!”

Charlie supped his beer, and paused . “you’re right, arthur – good boys!”

“should earn good money on the circuit!”

“Ten years younger and I’d beat the bloody lot of ’em,” Charlie grinned.

and that was the comment that made it happen.

Charlie Phelps was a prolific begetter of babies. In 1921 he had seven sons and a daughter,

all of them healthy and striving. There had been others, but the first-born son had died at

birth, and his adored Polly had died some three years earlier. Charlotte was the mother of

them all – a strong and determined woman, who herself had a respected reputation on the

Thames.

Charlotte sarah Brooks had been a stewardess on the steamer ‘Citizen’, master of which was

John henry hawkins. One day he let her take the wheel and she brought the steamer up the

river to Blackfriars Bridge and was never faulted. John henry

hawkins was severely censored by the authorities, but, according to

reports, Charlotte was given a glass of wine and declared

unofficially a master in her own right. If Charlie encouraged his

children to be close to the water, Charlotte drove them to perform.

Charlie Phelps loved the Thames – it was almost his total life. he

brought his sons up to have the same sense for it, although to be

fair they had very little option. educated at a foundation school for

watermen and clothed by the same foundation as children, they

were drenched in the watermen’s traditions. all of them became

apprentices, most of them under Charlie as their master, and all of

them rowed on the Putney reaches from the age of about four

years onwards.

The level of competition amongst the seven boys was high, yet for

all their lives they remained close, meeting regularly as brothers to

celebrate each other’s birthdays, and on hand when any trouble

threatened. They differed widely in character. For his whole life the

eldest, Ted, seemed to struggle with malevolent fortune – failing to Charlotte with Charlie,Jack and Bill at 48

4

the Phelps dynasty


win the Doggett’s Coat and Badge Race with a body drained of energy through nursing a

sick brother for nights before the event. he was nevertheless generally recognised as a class

oarsman. harry, Tom, Dick and Jack were competitors – always close friends but never

happy with second place at any time whether it be a race or a social event. young Charlie

was never really interested in the river. he rowed for a while through duty, but sought only

to move away from it all. and Bill, the youngest, was the baby of the family – spoiled by his

brothers, he played life for fun, like he played his banjo.

The Phelps household was dominated by river talk. Meal times revolved around rowing and

the waterside. Charlotte held her own in these arguments – because arguments they were –

and disagreement was rife, but with hard words forgotten very quickly. May, the surviving

daughter, was loved but largely ignored – sitting quietly, hardly ever asked to offer an opinion.

and so it was that some days later arthur Readings stood in his shop, when John Thomas

Phelps entered. Known everywhere as ‘Bossie’, John Thomas Phelps was the son of

Charlie’s brother, also called John Thomas Phelps. John Thomas senior was known in

Putney as ‘Old Bossie’ and was a boat-builder, owning his own business on the Putney

embankment, and leaving it to his son. although

Bossie was therefore a boat-builder by inheritance, by

choice and by reputation he should have been an

impresario or an actor. he regarded himself as the chief

Phelps of the time. as hylton Cleaver stated in “a

history of Rowing”, “Bossie had style, manners and

mannerisms. he was a great river pilot, the prince of

coaches.” But he never won Doggett’s, and was

consequently always regarded by Charlie Phelps, his

uncle, as something of an upstart. nevertheless, he

employed many of the brothers at some time in their

careers and was a major influence upon edwin, the last

Phelps to win Doggett’s in 1938. Both of Bossie’s sons

were to become major performers in the world of

Professional sculling – one a World Professional

Champion and the other an english and european

Champion.

Bossie never dressed as a worker. Bossie was invariably

dressed in a three-piece suit, hat, and gold watch chain

– strong in opinion, and never eclipsed by others.

5

Bossie in 1920

Chapter 1: a family Wager


“arthur, I need some provisions for a little ‘do’ I’m organising in my workshop next week,”

his request would have been. some detail would have been discussed – no mention of

payment would have been raised – Bossie was notorious for ignoring financial restraint.

It was probably in the course of this meeting that the earlier conversation with Charlie was

mentioned, and as always, lights glittered in Bossie’s mind as an idea began to surface. If

Charlie believed he could beat his sons, why didn’t he provide the opportunity?

some days later Bossie made an infrequent visit to Felsham Road, the Phelps household,

known to the Phelps family as ‘The Old Cottage’. a gate and a derelict bare-earthed path led

up to the front door, always badly in need of paint. Bossie, like everyone else, marveled at how

Charlotte had managed to give birth and rear such a large family in such a small space – a front

and back room downstairs with a stove and a lean-to scullery plus a tap. Upstairs, just two

Bossie in 1922 in bowler hat, leading a party of doggett’s winners

6

the Phelps dynasty


7

bedrooms, where at any one time slept seven boys, a girl and their parents. not unexpectedly

the loo stood far away at the bottom of the garden, requiring frequent attention.

“aunt, how are you?” he asked, followed by a genuine hug. Charlotte loved visitors and was

genuinely fond of Bossie, a lively, optimistic, micawber character – reflecting many of her

own natural instincts. no, Charlie wasn’t home, it was only 5.30pm. he would either be in

the half Moon, or on the foreshore. Jack and Bill were in the back yard.

Bossie went through, and for a few minutes joined in a football game in a ragged dirt yard

on a piece of bare ground, where chickens scuttled. sunflowers grew avidly near the loo,

providing the seeds for the infamous parrot that Charlotte adored. The loo was generously

covered with Russian vine, making a highly utilitarian shed vaguely attractive.

It was several days before Bossie and Charlie met up. It was outside the Thames Rowing

Club, with Charlie watching crews going afloat for their evening row. a Phelps family race?

Charlie hadn’t raced for years. his rowing was now confined to a ferry service across to

Bishop’s Park. Of course he would do it, and bloody win. he didn’t know about the others,

but if there was a crowd there and some pretty girls, he guessed they would go along with

it. Putney Bridge to hammersmith Bridge sounded good. handicap? There would be no

bloody handicap – he wasn’t giving a start to anyone! laughter, and a short walk to the half

Moon hotel for a few beers to discuss details.

It took Charlotte and the senior boys to bring some sense to the situation. They heard the

idea from Charlie over a roast sunday lunch, when Charlie had downed a few beers, and was

less than coherent. as an idea it was accepted warmly, but practicalities were raised, such as

who would supply the racing boats, who would organise the stake boats, who would be the

judge. Charlie assured them that Bossie would handle all these details. amid laughter, Tom

suggested that in that case Bossie would win without taking part!

however, the real discussion took place between Charlotte, Ted, harry, Tom and Dick, all

of whom were concerned at Charlie’s determination to row and at his obvious deterioration

in health. he just wouldn’t make it.

someone suggested a sprint as opposed to a longer race, and someone else suggested a

handicap. It was so easy to agree the sprint – it would be between Putney Bridge and

Beverley Brook, a distance of about a half-mile. But the handicap! To understand the Phelps

family, one needs to understand both competition and pride – no one would agree to be

handicapped. so the competition looked dead. no one would give an inch to anyone else.

Finally, Bill proposed the solution – by protesting that he stood no chance at 15 years rowing

against his elder brothers without some sort of advantage. It was agreed that Bill would have

pole position, followed by young Charlie and Jack who were both relatively young and



the Putney river

8

inexperienced on the tideway. Ted, harry, Tom and Dick would start together. no one dared

suggest where father Charlie should line up.

Weeks went by without action until Bossie raised the subject with Tom, who gave him an

update of the inner circle discussions.

“leave it with me, Tom!” laughed Bossie, “I’ll fix everything!”

amazingly he almost did just that. Discussions with Thames Rowing Club produced some

type of agreement that they would provide the rum-tums, which purely left the question of

the best date, the officials, and of course the handicap to be settled.

The date was finally set for the morning of sunday 9th January, when the tide was on the

ebb and they were all free from work.

the Phelps dynasty

The

RaCe


9

Walter Morrison, a close friend of the family, agreed to be distant judge. Walter was an active

member of the st. Mary’s Recreation Club, which parented the future Putney Town Rowing

Club, the only club on the river that catered for professional watermen. Walter was a trusted

friend and in a world of professional rowing where ‘dirty tricks’ were rife, he was regarded

by all as ‘incorruptible’ – his strong church background gave the family even greater

confidence.

another friend of the family Charlie light, a fellow waterman, readily agreed to be starter,

promised a free evening of drink by Bossie after the event. Then with much reluctance,

arthur Readings was persuaded to decide the final handicap placements.

arthur had drawn the short straw, but Bossie had asked, and if he wanted many outstanding

bills to be paid, then he felt he had limited options. he was approached separately by each

of the elder brothers urging that their father should be given the highest handicap; all

concerned that he would damage his health further even over this short distance. now came

the technical calculations – sculling from Putney Bridge to Beverley Brook, a distance of half

a mile should take about 3 minutes 30 seconds. arthur thought it reasonable to give Bill, the

youngster, 60 seconds over the scratch position, and under pressure he allocated the same

handicap to old Charlie, without telling him in advance. he gave 30 seconds to young

Charlie, and 12 seconds to Jack who was a promising oarsman, but at 18 years was not likely

to have the experience or guile of his elder brothers. he was very aware that harry had won

the Doggett’s Badge a few months earlier for the delayed 1919 race, and so was in confident

form. There was little doubt that he should be on ‘scratch’. he then needed to take advice

from Bossie for the rest.

Bossie as usual was clear. Tom was to row for the Badge in 1922, but should be given some

advantage over harry – say one stroke (maybe two seconds). Ted should have won his

Badge, but for some reason hadn’t. however, he was in style an excellent sculler, and should

start with Tom. Dick would not row for the Badge for some two-plus years and should have

a further stroke advantage (say four seconds). There it was. arthur accepted the advice

unsurprised by the certainty, but wondering, just wondering as he walked away whether

Bossie had already taken some side bets.

Bossie met harry a few days later and slipped him the handicap proposals. harry buried his

head in his hands in mock distress.

“Bossie, Dad will chase you up Putney hill for this!”

“sell it to him, cos! he starts with his baby, and if he wins all his pride is intact. If he doesn’t

he was just coaching his youngster. This way Charlie will never come last!”



The arguments over the handicapping were extreme. nobody agreed anything, apart from

harry who enjoyed the idea of being scratch. But Dick certainly didn’t believe he needed a

stroke over Ted and Tom. Jack said he would be in the pub by the time the others finished.

Charlie senior said he would be on his second pint by that time. It was Tom who eventually

brought sense into the discussion, suggesting that it didn’t really matter, since if Walter

Morrison did his job properly then the times would decide who was the real winner.

In truth the handicapping was probably less important than the idea of a public event. In a

sense most of them were showmen. They delighted in public exposure, and the glamour of

exhibition. They were all healthy young men, looking to flash their skills and good looks to

any girls who wanted to know – apart from

Charlie senior that is, who nevertheless still had a

real twinkle in his eye!

The show was on!

This was the world of professional rowing, so the

likelihood of no wagers taking place was

unthinkable. Wagers were a part of Bossie’s world. The bets were likely to be high, with

harry Phelps clearly favourite, and Tom Phelps being a sound outsider. no one of course

knows where Bossie’s money went, but it was said he was grinning and laughing at the result.

Charlie senior would have wagered heavily and he would certainly have bet on himself. It

10

they were all healthy young men,

looking to flash their skills and

good looks to any girls who

wanted to know.

the Phelps dynasty

the handicap

harry Phelps - scratch

edwin Phelps

2 seconds

Tom Phelps

Dick Phelps - 4 seconds

Jack Phelps - 12 seconds

Charlie Phelps (Jr) - 30 seconds

Charlie Phelps (sr)

60 seconds

Bill Phelps


was an elemental part of his character –

total confidence in his own ability to win

anything.

so 9th January 1921 dawned. It was a grey

day, but short of rain. The news of the

race had been spread widely, and hundreds

of people gathered early on the Putney

foreshore. It was a spectacle to be enjoyed.

a father and seven sons racing against

each other sparked imagination.

Rowing in Putney was big. It was only a

short few years ago in 1913 when mounted

police were needed to restrain crowds

welcoming ernie Barrie of Great Britain

after his victory over ernest arnst of

australia for the World sculling

Championship. It is reported that on 9th January 1921, “several thousand turned out to

witness it [the race]” and that “big crowds of the amateur oarsmen crowded the balconies of

the Thames and Vesta Clubs.”

Jack and Bill Phelps were there early at something like 11.00am, carrying the rum-tums down

to the foreshore from the Thames Rowing Club. The Putney foreshore was a metropolis of

activity. The boat-builders built their bonfires on the shore, producing whirling scents of

burning new wood. Crews of eights, fours, doubles and single scullers paraded down to the

river’s edge, and patient

boatmen managed their

launch. and then near

the boathouses the smell

of varnish and paint

produced the final

ingredient for the

riverside cocktail. all this

the two young boys

would have taken in, as

they paraded to and fro

from the Thames Club

with oars and boats.

the thames rowing Club in 1921

11


ernie Barry with escort in 1913 on the Putney embankment


The low tide was at 12.40pm – the ideal time for the race to event before the hardness of

the new tide built tough resistance and the dead refuse of the Thames was swept back into

the river. all but one of the rum-tums were on the shore by 11.45am. Bill and Jack had

worked hard. now they stood to take in the developing scene. Bossie had done a great job

advertising the event and as the crowds gathered, he stood for a short time outside the

Thames Rowing Club speaking to the press.

“We go as far back as the thirteenth century,” he grinned, “there are records of the Phelps

family plying here on the Thames as watermen right back to the Middle ages. I suppose

knowledge of the Thames is in our blood. We know every current in the water, and that’s

why today is so important – all of us on the water together testing our experience and skills

against each other. Gentlemen, I must get into position.” With a touch of his bowler hat, he

was off up the steps of the Thames to the bar, appearing seconds later on the balcony with

a pint of bitter in his hand. he waved to Bill and Jack, then looking along the embankment

saw Dick and Tom approaching.

so they began to gather – the characters who will largely constitute the cast of this book.

Bill Phelps was the baby of the family, born in 1905. he was still only 15 at the time of the

race, and was for his entire life the joker. Full of humour and fun, he played the banjo, and

was still able to do a headstand on the bar at the angel on the Bridge pub in henley at the

age of 50 plus, whilst drinking a pint of Guinness! a notorious boatman at Bryanston

school and University of london, he never ceased to embarrass his brothers. he played life

like a pantomime.

Jack Phelps, born in 1903, was nearly 17 in 1920. he was a seriously minded boy, going on

to be the fourth brother to win Doggett’s in 1928. he travelled the world before serving as

the boatman at london Rowing Club and then gained a high reputation on the ‘Conway’ –

the public school for naval Officers. he was remembered fondly by John Masefield. he

finally ended his career as boatman at Winchester College.

Tom Phelps was born in 1896. In later years he was the quietest of the brothers – softly

spoken and diffident in opinion, but nevertheless an astute assessor of rowing ability and

never known to predict the wrong result in the Varsity Boat Race. he won Doggett’s in 1922,

and spent most of his subsequent career as boatman at london Rowing Club. he was a

gentle but powerful public speaker, who introduced Thames watermen to the phrase, “a

river of liquid history.” The man who stood alone and statuesque at the helm of sir Winston

Churchill’s burial journey down the Thames, he was vastly respected in all rowing circles. On

12

the Phelps dynasty


Christmas Day of 1920, just 15 days before the race, Tom had married May agnes Barber.

They were to be partners for the rest of Tom’s life. Maybe, just maybe, Tom’s mind was not

fully focused on the race that day!

Dick Phelps, born in 1897, was 22 at the time of the race. he was perhaps to become the

most respected of the brothers. spending most of his life as boatman for Thames Rowing

Club, he traveled with the British Olympic Teams in 1931, 1936, and 1948. he was in

Munich in 1936 to see the Great Britain pair, Beresford and southwood, beat the Germans

under the eyes of adolf hitler himself – Dick recording it as the finest race he was ever to

witness. he was also with the european Championship Team in 1959, and at the

Commonwealth Games of 1954 and 1958. like many of his brothers, Dick was a gifted

public speaker, with many tales to tell, which he never failed to unfold at the least

opportunity. he won Doggett’s in 1923, and was the last of the brothers to die in 1989 at

the age of 92. he was known in his later years as ‘Old Father Thames’.

Bill and Jack reckoned they had done enough, so Tom and Dick brought the final boat down

to the shore. The crowds were now gathering. Reporters the next day wrote that several

thousand spectators were on the spot.

“Where are the rest?” queried Dick, looking along

the embankment, enjoying the crowds – the noise

of roast chestnut and toffee apple sellers, the sight

of a Punch and Judy show. he suddenly saw May,

his sister, standing against the railings, waving

wildly at them. he jumped excitedly, noticing that

Charlotte, his mother, was standing behind her. The crowd was in raucous mood. “Where’s

the old man?” they shouted. “Don’t they know their way?” “Where’s Punch?”

Bossie beamed from the Thames balcony, now joined by his sons Ted, aged twelve, and eric,

aged eight, two boys who would enhance the sculling reputation of the family in later years.

“They’ll bloody well miss the tide!” he murmured, giving Ted a shoulder hug. “Well, they

won’t notice!”

harry hated to be late. The only brother working on a sunday and finishing late, he missed

his bus, so was half running along the embankment when a breathless young Charlie caught

him up.

“We’re okay, harry!” It was a statement not a question.

the crowds were now gathering.

reporters the next day wrote that

several thousand spectators were

on the spot.

13



“no, Charlie, we’re late! Come on!” They weaved their way sidestepping through the crowds.

harry was born in 1893, and had won Doggett’s earlier in 1920 – the first of the brothers.

he was the second eldest. he had volunteered for the army in 1914, and had survived the

Gallipoli campaign. he was to go on to work his life in the docklands of Wapping, and in

1927 was to be appointed Bargemaster of the Fishmongers’ Company, holding the

appointment to 1972, the longest serving Bargemaster in the history of the race. like Dick

and Tom he was a consummate public speaker, his life full of mirthful anecdotes of the

great Dickensian characters he met and worked with on the length of the river.

young Charlie was born in 1901, and broke the mould. Despite all the pressure from his

father and his brothers, he showed little interest in the river, preferring instead to move away

at the first opportunity. Regarded as a ‘neat oarsman’, he, like all the others, was apprenticed

to the water, and competed for the Doggett’s Coat and Badge in 1926, finishing fifth. he

spent the majority of his life working for Gillette – in many respects Charlie was the

template for the next generation.

“I wouldn’t have bothered to turn up, if I were you,” laughed Bill, “here, gents, are the

losers!” harry playfully clipped Bill hard around the ear, and Bill made to square up. The

crowd around responded with playful Oohs! and aahs!

Ted strolled down the foreshore. The time was 12.20pm. The eldest brother of the family,

he still felt the disappointment of not winning the Doggett’s race in 1914. he had been the

clear favourite but something had happened and he had sculled into second place. no one

in the family mentioned the event, but he felt burdened by harry’s success a few months

earlier. now at least he was happily married to Frances, who had given him a son edwin

three years earlier and now Frances, his first daughter. There they were, at the top of the

foreshore, waving and shouting at the other brothers.

Ted was born in 1890, apprenticed like his brothers to his father as a waterman and a boat-

builder. he was the only brother who remained throughout his life loyal to the boat-building

trade, working on the Putney embankment for the next 50 years firstly for Bossie and then

14

the Phelps dynasty


for his own son, edwin, shaping the racing boats and skiffs that had been part of his family

for some 250 years. Despite the shakiness of his hands in normal company, Ted had an

unerring accuracy hammering the copper headed nails into the racing shells. he did it for

over 65 years. It was edwin, his son, who made up in part for Ted’s early disappointment,

by winning Doggett’s himself in 1938. yet Ted’s life was to be dogged by partial tragedy,

losing his wife Frances in 1943, and struggling to live with a disabled daughter during years

of loneliness, compensated in part by the friendship of the half Moon hotel.

“all set!” It was a statement of the oldest brother. he was tense as usual, but today he was

determined to win, to prove at least to the family that he could do it.

“Dad’s not here yet,” responded Jack, “and we know where he will be!”

“and it won’t be in the library,” chanted Bill.

The others stared towards the bridge.

now a skiff crunched on the shingle of the foreshore, turning the heads of them all. Walter

Morrison with the white flag neatly furled in his hand jumped ashore, touching the water’s

edge with his spotlessly clean Wellington boots. he was held in some awe by them all for his

high Christian rectitude. no one ever swore in his presence.

Charlie light jumped onto the foreshore beside him, whilst harry Green held the oars. Both

were sons of Thames Watermen, with harry Green prominently helping the Phelps

brothers and Walter Morrison to form the st. Mary’s Rowing Club that was to become the

Putney Town Rowing Club in 1922.

“Come on lads. It’s time we were afloat! We’ll hit the tide.” all said whilst he was shaking

hands with harry, a close friend, and tousling the hair of Bill.

“We’re waiting for Dad,” they chorused.

Charlie Phelps (the elder) was born in Putney in 1859, three years after the end of the

Crimean War. he would claim that he saw a parade of the light Brigade lancers as a young

boy, held high by his father Frederick in 1860, but few believed him. he was throughout his

life a great storyteller. he had seven sons, and one daughter who lived. his lovely eldest

daughter Polly died sadly and mysteriously in 1917, a death that haunted him forever. he was

always a skilled boat-builder and sought-after rowing coach. he regretted the demise of the

professional competitor, tracing it back to the embarrassing honest John Phelps’ decision

15



of 1877 in the Varsity Boat Race. he was loved by all who knew him, and was never known

to lay a hand upon any of his family in anger.

Father Charlie finished his pint, and then downed the shot of whiskey in one swallow. “Well,

I’d better go and show ’em how it’s done.” he placed his well-greased trilby on his head, and

moved towards the door, not missing the swiveling hips of the barmaid as she turned to

offer him one more scotch on the house.

“Thanks, Bessie love, much appreciated.” another swallow and he was off, across the lower

Richmond Road, and onto the embankment, now crowded with would-be spectators. a few

recognised him, wishing him well, or asking for his opinion on the winner. he smiled

broadly, a cigarette between his lips. Then he saw his man – the runner. he moved swiftly

towards him.

“Jim, what’s Ted’s price?” he half muttered.

“low, Charlie, just 2 to 1. harry’s evens!”

“What am I, Jim?”

There was hesitation. “eight to one, Charlie. sorry mate!”

“Bloody cheek! Take a half crown on the outsider, oh! and another one on Ted.” a

movement of hands, a clink of coins, and a shuffle of paper. Charlie was on his way.

“There he is!” Dick pointed, and they all started beckoning hard. Through the crowds they

easily recognized the trilby hat and the stooped walk of their father.

The time was 12.30pm.

Charlie needed only to take his coat and trousers off in the boatman’s hut in the Thames

Rowing Club and within minutes he was ready to join his sons. May, his daughter, met him

at the top of the foreshore and gave him a kiss. For a few seconds he cuddled her.

he embraced his sons with laughter, encouraged by the good-natured cheers from the

crowds around him.

“you alright Dad?” sounded an anxious Tom, smelling the sour taste of drink on his breath.

“Bloody marvellous – sorry Walter!” grinned his reply.

“Charlie, we really should get afloat we have already hit the tide,” sounded an anxious Walter

Morrison.

“let’s go then!”

and so they did.

16

the Phelps dynasty


First afloat was Bill, sculling easily out to the centre of the river, then Jack, and harry, then

Tom, young Charlie, Dick and Ted. Father Charlie was the last afloat helped by Charlie

light.

father Charlie and son Bill before the 1921 race

Walter Morrison stood for a moment on the shore, before moving rapidly to Beverley Brook

to judge the finish.

“Good luck, everyone!” he shouted.

“Get it right, Walter!” someone wisecracked.

several photographers appeared, seeking pictures of them all together, and with much

banter and manoeuvring they were somehow taken.

17



18

Then it was serious. The father and sons never took racing lightly. For some it was their

living. For them all it was the only life they knew.

The time was 12.50pm. They had missed the ebb, and the tide was beginning to flow.

It was time to race…

the Phelps dynasty


a phelps dynasty

Documents

edwin phelps sculling

ted phelps andothers

story of memorable individuals

sculling boats

generations ofthe family

professional rowers

waters ofthe thames

professional crewsthey