John Somers-Smith
Encyclopedia
John Robert Somers-Smith (15 December 1887 – 1 July 1916) was a British
rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics
. He was killed in action during the First World War.
Somers-Smith was born at Walton-on-Thames
, Surrey
, the son of Robert Vernon Somers-Smith and his wife Gertrude. His father ran for Oxford against Cambridge in 1868 and 1869 and was twice the AAA half-mile champion. Somers-Smith was educated at Eton College
and Magdalen College, Oxford
where he rowed for his college. Although he did not row for Oxford
, his brother, Richard Somers-Smith rowed for Oxford in the Boat Race in 1904 and 1905. The Magdalen College Coxless four
won the Stewards' Challenge Cup
and the Visitors' Challenge Cup
at Henley Royal Regatta
in 1907 and 1908.
The Magdalen crew was chosen to represent Great Britain rowing at the 1908 Summer Olympics
, and Somers-Smith was strokeman
in the four with Collier Cudmore
, Angus Gillan and Duncan Mackinnon
. The crew won the gold medal for Great Britain and defeated a Leander crew.
Somers-Smith became a member of Leander Club
and was a member of the Leander crew that won the Grand Challenge Cup
at Henley in 1910 and 1911
Somers-Smith served with the London Regiment
] during the First World War, and won the Military Cross
as a captain in 1916. He was killed in action during the first day
of the Battle of the Somme. His remains were not recovered and his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial nearby.
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 who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics
1908 Summer Olympics
The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the IV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in 1908 in London, England, United Kingdom. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time they were the fifth modern Olympic games...
. He was killed in action during the First World War.
Somers-Smith was born at Walton-on-Thames
Walton-on-Thames
Walton-on-Thames is a town in the Elmbridge borough of Surrey in South East England. The town is located south west of Charing Cross and is between the towns of Weybridge and Molesey. It is situated on the River Thames between Sunbury Lock and Shepperton Lock.- History :The name "Walton" is...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, the son of Robert Vernon Somers-Smith and his wife Gertrude. His father ran for Oxford against Cambridge in 1868 and 1869 and was twice the AAA half-mile champion. Somers-Smith was educated at Eton College
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 Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Magdalen is currently top of the Norrington Table after over half of its 2010 finalists received first-class degrees, a record...
where he rowed for his college. Although he did not row for 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....
, his brother, Richard Somers-Smith rowed for Oxford in the Boat Race in 1904 and 1905. The Magdalen College 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...
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....
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...
at Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...
in 1907 and 1908.
The Magdalen crew was chosen to represent Great Britain rowing at the 1908 Summer Olympics
Rowing at the 1908 Summer Olympics
At the 1908 Summer Olympics, four rowing events were contested, all for men only. Races were held at Henley-on-Thames. The competitions were held from July 28, 1908 to July 31, 1908. There was one fewer event in 1908 than 1904, after the double sculls was dropped from the programme...
, and Somers-Smith was strokeman
Stroke (rowing)
Stroke is a term which has multiple meanings within the sport of rowing. It is used to refer to the action of propelling the boat with oars, to a rower seated in a particular position and to one side of the boat.-Stroke action:...
in the four with Collier Cudmore
Collier Cudmore
Sir Collier Robert Cudmore was an Australian lawyer, politician and Olympic rower who won the Gold medal in the 1908 Summer Olympics.-Early life and rowing career:...
, Angus Gillan and Duncan Mackinnon
Duncan Mackinnon
Duncan Mackinnon was a British rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics. He was killed in action during the First World War....
. The crew won the gold medal for Great Britain and defeated a Leander crew.
Somers-Smith became a member 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 was a member of the Leander crew that won the Grand Challenge Cup
Grand Challenge Cup
The Grand Challenge Cup is a rowing competition for men's eights. It is the oldest and most prestigious event 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...
at Henley in 1910 and 1911
Somers-Smith served with the London Regiment
London Regiment
The London Regiment is a Territorial Army regiment in the British Army. It was first formed in 1908 in order to regiment the various Volunteer Force battalions in the newly formed County of London, each battalion having a distinctive uniform. The Volunteer Force was merged with the Yeomanry in 1908...
] during the First World War, and won the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
as a captain in 1916. He was killed in action during the first day
First day on the Somme
The first day on the Somme, 1 July 1916, was the opening day of the Battle of Albert, which was the first phase of the British and French offensive that became known as the Battle of the Somme...
of the Battle of the Somme. His remains were not recovered and his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial nearby.