Jack Godwin

The son of a London stockbroker, Jack Godwin was cox to the Thames Rowing Club crew that enjoyed considerable success in the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley in the 1920s. He was also cox of the Thames eight that represented Great Britain at the 1924 Paris Olympics and, despite setting an Olympic best time in their first round heat, they missed out on a medal after finishing fourth, just half-a-length behind bronze medallists Italy.

Godwin was in the Thames boat when they won the Grand in 1923 and 1927, and in the eight beaten in the final by Leander in both 1922 and 1925. Other notable eights successes for Godwin included victories in the Staines, Kingston, Marlow, and Metropolitan Amateur Regattas.

During his time at the Thames Rowing Club, Godwin used to entertain locally with his conjuring show. He later changed his name to Jack Stuart, and in the 1930s became a successful music hall entertainer in both his own right, as a magician, and also with his sister Phyllis with their entertaining show called “The Living Marionettes”. This show was one of the pioneering acts in the early days of British television.