James MacNabb
Encyclopedia
James Alexander MacNabb (26 December 1901 – 6 April 1990) was a British
rower
who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics
.
MacNabb was born at Keighley
, West Yorkshire, the son of Rev. James Frederick MacNabb, and his wife Margaret Elizabeth Waterworth. He was educated at Eton
and first rowed at Henley in 1920 as a member of the Eton Crew that reached the semi-finals of the Ladies' Challenge Plate
. He then went to Trinity College, Cambridge
. At Cambridge, MacNabb, Charles Eley
, Robert Morrison
and Terence Sanders
, who had rowed together at Eton, made up the coxless four
that in 1922 at Henley won the Stewards' Challenge Cup
as Eton Vikings and the Visitors' Challenge Cup
as Third Trinity Boat Club. They won the Stewards' Challenge Cup again in 1923. MacNabb rowed for Cambridge
in the Boat Race in 1924 and also won Silver Goblets at Henley in 1924 partnering Charles Eley. The coxless four crew won Steward's at Henley again in 1924 and went on to win the gold medal for Great Britain rowing at the 1924 Summer Olympics
.
MacNabb qualified as an accountant. He was associated with charitable housing for many years and was honorary treasurer at the Amateur Rowing Association for 20 years. He was also honorary secretary and treasurer of Leander Club
and a steward of Henley Regatta. He coached the winning Cambridge crew from 1931 to 1933.
MacNabb served in World War II
in the Royal Artillery
in West Africa and Burma. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was awarded the T.D.
. He coached the Oxford
crew from 1949 to 1951, making him one of the few people to have coached both universities. He was recognised as de jure 21st Chief of Clan Macnab
and was succeeded by his son James Charles MacNabb. In 1972 he was awarded the O.B.E
for his work with the Peabody Trust.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
rower
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics
1924 Summer Olympics
The 1924 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VIII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1924 in Paris, France...
.
MacNabb was born at Keighley
Keighley
Keighley is a town and civil parish within the metropolitan borough of the City of Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. It is situated northwest of Bradford and is at the confluence of the River Aire and the River Worth...
, West Yorkshire, the son of Rev. James Frederick MacNabb, and his wife Margaret Elizabeth Waterworth. He was educated at Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
and first rowed at Henley in 1920 as a member of the Eton Crew that reached the semi-finals of the Ladies' Challenge Plate
Ladies' Challenge Plate
The Ladies' Challenge Plate is one of the events at Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. Crews of men's eight-oared boats below the standard of the Grand Challenge Cup can enter, although international standard heavyweight crews are not permitted to row in the...
. He then went to Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
. At Cambridge, MacNabb, Charles Eley
Charles Eley
Charles Ryves Maxwell Eley, OBE was a British rower who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics.Eley was educated at Eton College and first rowed at Henley Royal Regatta in 1921, when Eton won the Ladies' Challenge Plate He then went to Trinity College, Cambridge...
, Robert Morrison
Robert Morrison (rower)
Robert Erskine Morrison was a British rower who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics.Morrison was born at Richmond on Thames and educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge...
and Terence Sanders
Terence Sanders
Terence Robert Beaumont Sanders was a British rower who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics, a lecturer in engineering at Cambridge, an army officer engaged in countering the V2 threat, civil servant and High Sheriff of Surrey.Sanders was born in Charleville, Cork, Ireland. He was educated at...
, who had rowed together at Eton, made up the coxless four
Coxless four
A coxless four is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for four persons who propel the boat with sweep oars.The crew consists of four rowers, each having one oar. There are two rowers on the stroke side and two on the bow side...
that in 1922 at Henley won the Stewards' Challenge Cup
Stewards' Challenge Cup
The Stewards' Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless fours at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs. Two or more clubs may combine to make an entry....
as Eton Vikings and the Visitors' Challenge Cup
Visitors' Challenge Cup
The Visitors Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless fours at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs and has similar qualifying rules to the Ladies' Challenge Plate. Two or more clubs may...
as Third Trinity Boat Club. They won the Stewards' Challenge Cup again in 1923. MacNabb rowed for Cambridge
Cambridge University Boat Club
The Cambridge University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Cambridge, England, located on the River Cam at Cambridge, although training primarily takes place on the River Great Ouse at Ely. The club was founded in 1828...
in the Boat Race in 1924 and also won Silver Goblets at Henley in 1924 partnering Charles Eley. The coxless four crew won Steward's at Henley again in 1924 and went on to win the gold medal for Great Britain rowing at the 1924 Summer Olympics
Rowing at the 1924 Summer Olympics
The rowing competition at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris featured seven events, all for men only. The competitions were held from Sunday, July 13, 1924 to Thursday, July 17, 1924.-Medal summary:-Medal table:-References:*...
.
MacNabb qualified as an accountant. He was associated with charitable housing for many years and was honorary treasurer at the Amateur Rowing Association for 20 years. He was also honorary secretary and treasurer of Leander Club
Leander Club
Leander Club, founded in 1818, is one of the oldest rowing clubs in the world. It is based in Remenham in the English county of Berkshire, adjoining Henley-on-Thames...
and a steward of Henley Regatta. He coached the winning Cambridge crew from 1931 to 1933.
MacNabb served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
in West Africa and Burma. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was awarded the T.D.
Territorial Decoration
The Territorial Decoration was a medal of the United Kingdom awarded for long service in the Territorial Force and its successor, the Territorial Army...
. He coached the Oxford
Oxford University Boat Club
The Oxford University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Oxford, England, located on the River Thames at Oxford. The club was founded in the early 19th century....
crew from 1949 to 1951, making him one of the few people to have coached both universities. He was recognised as de jure 21st Chief of Clan Macnab
Clan MacNab
Clan Macnab is a Highland Scottish clan.-History:Clan Macnab is often said to have been a branch of the Clan Macdonald. However a bond of manrent exists to say that the Clan Macnab was an ally of the Clan Mackinnon and the Clan Gregor...
and was succeeded by his son James Charles MacNabb. In 1972 he was awarded the O.B.E
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for his work with the Peabody Trust.