Richie McCowen

The son of a wealthy Dublin ship-builder, Donald McCowen was educated at Cheltenham College before going to Pembroke College, Cambridge. At University he became an excellent rower in both single and double sculls, fours, and eights. In 1929 he won the Lowe Double Sculls with F. Bradley and was beaten in the final of the Colquhoun Sculls by Philip Carpmael. McCowen was also a member of the Pembroke eights in the Ladies’ Challenge Plate at Henley that year.

McCowen enjoyed another successful year in 1932. Firstly, he won his rowing Blue, and that was followed by success in the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley with the Leander eight, and then a Los Angeles Olympic appearance, when his Leander crew finished fourth. The following year, McCowen won at Henley again, when he was bow to the Pembroke coxless fours in the Steward’s Challenge Cup. He coached the Cambridge crew briefly in 1935 before getting the job permanently in 1936, when he guided them to a five-length victory in the Boat Race.

During the war McCowen joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) and served on Motor Torpedo and Motor Gun Boats with the Coastal Forces. He was awarded both the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for gallant service in enemy waters. The latter award being made for his part in the Normandy landings. McCowen was a good standard golfer and in the late 1930s also became a fine yachtsman. After the War he raced at Cowes in his own boats “Gemini” and “Susie”.