Gordon Killick

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameGordon Cecil•Killick
Used nameGordon•Killick
Nick/petnamesBill
Born3 June 1899 in Fulham, England (GBR)
Died10 October 1962 in Putney, England (GBR)
Measurements83 kg
AffiliationsThames Rowing Club, Putney (GBR)
NOC Great Britain
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Gordon Killick first rowed at Henley in 1922 and, in 1925, was in the Thames Rowing Club eight for the first time, when they lost to Leander in the final of the Grand Challenge Cup. He was, however, on the winning crew in 1927 and 1928. Killick enjoyed four other wins at Henley, taking the Wyfold Cup in 1925 and 1927 and the Silver Goblets with Jack Beresford in 1928 and 1929.

Killick competed at two Olympics, Paris 1924 and Amsterdam 1928. At Paris, he competed with his brother-in-law Thomas Southgate in the coxless pairs, but they were eliminated in the first round. They qualified for the final via the repêchage, however, but did not make the start line because Southgate injured a muscle and they had to withdraw. Despite being officially placed third, they never received a medal.

Four years later at the Amsterdam Games, Killick won a silver medal with the Thames Rowing Club eight in a remarkable race that saw them lose by half a length to the USA despite conceding nine pounds a man. Killick served the Thames Rowing Club as vice-president for more than 30 years. In 1960 he was chairman of the appeals committee responsible for raising funds to help restore the club, and he was instrumental in raising £12,000 (worth over £250,000 in 2020).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1924 Summer Olympics Rowing GBR Gordon Killick
Coxless Pairs, Men (Olympic) Thomas Southgate DNS r3/3
1928 Summer Olympics Rowing GBR Gordon Killick
Eights, Men (Olympic) Great Britain 2 Silver

Olympic family relations