John Worlidge

John Worlidge attended Marlborough School and, before going to university, did two years National Service with the Royal Engineers. Upon completion of his time in the Army he went to St. John’s College, Cambridge to read mechanical sciences. It was only after going to Cambridge that Worlidge took up rowing, and was a member of the Lady Margaret Boat Club.

Worlidge won his rowing Blue in 1951 when he was in the Cambridge eight that won the re-run race, after Oxford sank first time out, by 12 lengths. That same year Worlidge was in the Lady Margaret eight that won the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley. He then went to the USA with the university crew and enjoyed famous victories over both Harvard and Yale. A second Grand followed in 1952 when he was in the Leander boat than won the final in a record time of 6:38. Worlidge then went to the Helsinki Olympics, just four years after taking up rowing, and was in the Great Britain eight that finished fourth.

After Cambridge, Worlidge went into business and joined the quality paper manufacturer Wiggins Teape. He became their chairman in 1984, having been appointed an executive director of the parent company British American Tobacco (BAT) in 1980.

Worlidge was elected president of Marlborough School’s Malburian Club in 1986, and in 1988 joined the College Council, and became chairman of the finance committee. Worlidge was a keen yachtsman and golfer and, for his 90th birthday, the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes threw a luncheon in his honour.