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Today's thread: 2/Lt George Eric Fairbairn, killed on this day 1915 at Bailleul with the 10/Durham Light Infantry. A rugby player for @rosslynpark (two games in April 1914) but excelled at rowing @JesusCollegeCam @CUBCsquad @GBRowingTeam1 #Olympics 1908
Born in Australia, Eric was part of the famous Fairbairn rowing dynasty, with uncle Steve commemorated at the mile marker in the Varsity boat race and in the 'Fairbairns' event still rowed at Cambridge. GEF here in scull.
The Cambridge 8 won the Boat Race in 1908 with Eric in the 2 seat. But their victory was not deemed strong enough for them to be selected as the GB Eight for 1908 @Olympics In London
The Light Blues formed a second boat, winning bronze behind @Leander_Club and Belgium's Ghent club. Eric was dropped from the 8 but had the last laugh winning silver in the pairs with Philip Verdon. Name board at BBC on site of old White City Olympic stadium @BBCNews
Eric gained a second (losing) Blue in 1911, with Eric rowing at 7, having bulked up by 12lbs since 1908. See him here checking out @OxfordUniBC oppo, in trademark reversed cap
Varsity rowers were sporting superstars of the day
He was a great character, described in @JesusCollegeCam “Like all geniuses, he has idiosyncrasies. He hates collars, takes no milk in his tea through fear of dead flies, and is a confirmed Peripatetic after bump-suppers” (aka wandering around drunk)
In May, the @JesusCollegeCam student 8, rowed against the mighty Belgians of Ghent, rumoured (shock) to be 'professionals'
Hardly rank amateurs, Jesus had several Blues and were coached by Steve Fairbairn and Stanley Bruce, future PM of Australia. Tragically in addition to Eric 4 of these men were killed in #FWW, all lost without trace
Over 100,000 spectators lined the canal at Terdonck on 25 May to watch the challenge race, won by Jesus College
The College magazine wrote a mock-heroic poem to celebrate.
‘Ere fiercely upsprang
Eric the mighty;
Red was his face
And Blue was his raiment
Kinsman was he
To Steve the great trainer
‘Ere fiercely upsprang
Eric the mighty;
Red was his face
And Blue was his raiment
Kinsman was he
To Steve the great trainer
Eric joined the @artistsrifles at Dukes Road immediately after the early August Bank Holiday 1914 and was then commissioned into the 10th Durham Light Infantry
On 12 June 1915 Eric again steps onto Belgian soil, and into the trenches at Wijtschaete ('Whitesheet') 50miles from Ghent. He is killed on 20th. On 22 June a telegram arrives at his parents' Chelsea home ...is reported dangerously wounded nature or degree of wound not stated'
A second Telegram 26 June 1915: Form is pre-printed: Regret| to|inform|you|that (deeply inserted in handwriting
2nd Lt GE Fairbairn Durham LI died of wounds June 20th. Lord Kitchener expresses his sympathy #RIP Eric Fairbairn
2nd Lt GE Fairbairn Durham LI died of wounds June 20th. Lord Kitchener expresses his sympathy #RIP Eric Fairbairn
