technique and fluctuating fortunes of the sliding seat were shown to persist well beyond their introductory period. Such illustrations of the problems highlight the courage of that early adoption by the Lesley crew coached by Woodgate. Whilst Pembroke’s rowing fortunes may have fluctuated in the interim period, Pembroke became Head of the River again in 1995 and gained the double Headship in 2003. It was in 1980 that the first Pembroke Women’s Eight took to the water, battling with rowing equipment designed for burly men with size 12 feet! Another proud moment came when Annabel Eyres (1984) rowed in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, making the Olympic final by 0.13 of a second and coming 5th in the final. Of the Pembrokians who were instrumental in introducing the sliding seat to Oxford rowing, R S Mitchison’s obituary appeared in the 1936-37 copy of the Record. He matriculated in 1868 and spent his life as Rector of St Mary’s Church in Barnaby, Rugby (1880-1926) and died in 1936 an Honorary Canon of the Church. His obituary records that he distinguished himself as an oarsman rowing in the Oxford Boat in 1872 and 1873. His younger brother, A M Mitchison, also rowed for Oxford in 1875 and 1876. A veteran of the 1871 and 1872 Boat Races and coach of the 1873 crew facing the indomitable J D H Goldie, instrumental in the Pembroke successes at Henley and the important first Headship of the River in 1872, Robert Lesley 146
returned to farm his own estate at Sinnington Lodge where he was born. He was described in a History of Hunting as “a thorough sportsman who loved the very smell of the soil and the open air and who was a good farmer”. He was a Justice of the Peace for the North Riding of Yorkshire, and also retired from the Yorkshire Artillery Militia with the rank of Lt Colonel. He was Master of the Sinnington Hunt from 1884 until 1891, and died at the relatively young age of 54 on 1st July 1905, following a long illness. A friend described him as “having the instincts in his character of all that was manly, straight, and courageous” and as admired by a large circle of friends. Although described as grave and taciturn on occasions, his friend stated that his “kindly heart and good understanding predominated over all things”. His brother H W Lesley wrote that Robert did not have much time for hunting until he became Master of the Hunt at Sinnington, being “occupied in the Oxford University Eight, and later in coaching the crews”.
Jo Church * The Robinson Challenge Cup was presented to Pembroke by H M Robinson (1857) to be rowed for annually by four oared boats.
With grateful thanks to Professor Ben Davis for the idea for this article and to Amanda Ingram for finding