Harry Hauenstein

Harry Hauenstein was an Australian national. A member of the Leichhardt Rowing Club, Hauenstein rowed, generally in the number five seat, for New South Wales in five Interstate Men’s Eights Championships (1907-11), winning three of them. He also represented the Balmain Rowing Club and joined Sydney Rowing Club in order to be allowed with the club team at Henley in 1912. The Australian eight with Hauenstein won the Royal Henley Regatta, beating Leander Club in the final. In Stockholm, however, they lost the quarter-final to Leander by ½-a-length. Seven years later he was called to join the AIF eight that eventually won the 1919 Royal Peace Regatta at Henley. For this they were awarded the King’s Cup, which in 1922 became the trophy for the winner of the men’s eights at the Australian Interstate Regatta.

In between Hauenstein served in World War I on the Western front after joining the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in 1915, shortly after marrying his wife Eva (née Barnes). He received the Military Medal for bravery in 1916 and was eventually promoted to the rank of lieutenant. On the other hand, he was also court-martialled for his behaviour, including drunkenness. Two of his brothers, both also rowers, survived the war, but were traumatised and eventually committed suicide.

Hauenstein came from a family of Swiss-German immigrants. After an apprenticeship in boatbuilding he became a member of the Sydney police force as a constable. Following service in World War I, he worked as a lift mechanic. He died from stomach cancer one day after being admitted to a Sydney hospital at the age of 57.