Radley’s greatest rowing triumph. After 77 years of trying, Radley won the Ladies’ Challenge Plate at Henley in July 1938. The Ladies’ Plate was then open to school and university crews. Radley beat Bryanston, Bedford Modern, Jesus College, Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and finally Pembroke College, Cambridge to lift the trophy. It was 23 years since a school had won against the adult crews. And it can never be done again: the Princess Elizabeth Cup was instituted in 1946 for public school crews.

Radley was then invited to row against Tabor Academy on the challengers’ home water at Sippican Harbor: the first international schoolboy rowing fixture.

The crew

THE EIGHT.

C. H. Gray (bow)…… 10 3

2 D. H. Richards…….. 11 5

3 J. W. Arkell……….. 11 1.

4. E. M. Sturges. .. ..11 12

5 J. D. Eveleigh. .. . .. … 12 I

6 C. D. F. Kaye ……… 12 I2

7 G. E. Chandler.….12 8.

P. L. Fanning (str.). . . . . 9 11

D. E. G. Beazley (cox). . 8 13

Spare man John Horner,

Media frenzy was huge

Donald Chandler receives the Cup

Donald Chandler’s trophy oar and personal souvenir albums were gifted to Radley College by his family in 2026. The oar now has pride of place in the Sports’ Office at the heart of the school.

Clare Sargent, June 2026