Michael Davis

Michael Davis’ father Raymond was a flight lieutenant in the Royal Air Force and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in August 1940. A week later he was killed in action, leaving 10-week-old Michael without a father.

Davis started rowing at Eton College before going to Lincoln College, Oxford, where he continued to develop the rowing skills. He was stroke to the 1960 Boat Race-winning eight and followed that as a member of the Oxford crew that represented the Great Britain eight at the 1960 Roma Olympics. They failed to make the final, however, after finishing second in their repêchage heat.

Davis was also a Blue in 1961 and 1962 and in the first of those years became president of the Oxford University Boat Club. He later joined the Leander Club and was their stroke when beaten in the final of 1961 Grand Challenge Cup at Henley by the Central Sport Club of the USSR Navy.