James Houghton Page OBE TD (14 January 1900 – 16 December 1977) was a British

rower Rowing, sometimes called crew in the United States, is the sport of racing boats using oars. It differs from paddling sports in that rowing oars are attached to the boat using oarlocks, while paddles are not connected to the boat. Rowing is ...

who was secretary of the Amateur Rowing Association from 1952 to 1972.

Life

Page was born on 14 January 1900 in Lambeth,

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

. He went to school at

Dulwich College Dulwich College is a 2–19 Independent school (United Kingdom), independent, Day school, day and boarding school for Single-sex education, boys in Dulwich, London, England. As a Public school (United Kingdom), public school, it began as the Col ...

, where he was captain of shooting, before attending

Jesus College, Oxford Jesus College (in full: Jesus College in the University of Oxford of Queen Elizabeth's Foundation) is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is in the centre of the city, on a site between Turl Street, Ship S ...

, where he was captain of the

boat club A boat club is a sports club serving boat owners, particularly those interested in rowing and yachting, but also kayaking, canoeing, motor boats and other small boats. See also *Rowing club *Yacht club A yacht club is a sports club specif ...

. He was a master at St Paul's School from 1926 to 1963, where he was a rowing coach. He maintained links with Oxford, successfully coaching

Oriel College Oriel College () is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. Located in Oriel Square, the college has the distinction of being the oldest royal foundation in Oxford (a title formerly claimed by University College, w ...

from their position in 21st place in 1928 to become Head of the River between 1933 and 1936. He also coached

Oxford Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the ...

and Cambridge Boat Clubs at various times. He was captain of

Thames Rowing Club The Thames Rowing Club (TRC) is a rowing club based on the tidal Thames as it flows through the western suburbs of London. The TRC clubhouse stands on Putney Embankment. The club was founded in 1860. As at July 2022, Thames had won events at H ...

in 1934 and in 1947–48. In 1952, he became honorary secretary of the Amateur Rowing Association (secretary from 1963 onwards), retiring in 1972. He was elected as Master of the Broderers' Company in 1960, a steward of the Henley Royal Regatta in 1962, and Master of the Fletchers' Company in 1971. Page also served in the Armed Forces and the police. He was commissioned in the Royal Field Artillery in 1918 and joined the Territorial Army whilst at Oxford. During the Second World War, Page commanded the 52nd Anti-Tank Regiment from 1939 onwards, before transferring to the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He served in India as a pilot officer, serving until 1947 when he retired with the rank of

wing commander Wing commander (Wg Cdr in the RAF, the IAF, and the PAF, WGCDR in the RNZAF and RAAF, formerly sometimes W/C in all services) is a senior commissioned rank in the British Royal Air Force and air forces of many countries which have historical ...

. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire on retirement. He also received the

Territorial Decoration __NOTOC__ The Territorial Decoration (TD) was a military medal of the United Kingdom awarded for long service in the Territorial Force and its successor, the Territorial Army. This award superseded the Volunteer Officer's Decoration when the Te ...

for his services. He became a special constable with the City of London Police in 1933, rising to the rank of superintendent in 1963. He died on 16 December 1977.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Page, James Houghton 1900 births 1977 deaths People educated at Dulwich College Alumni of Jesus College, Oxford English male rowers Schoolteachers from London Officers of the Order of the British Empire Royal Field Artillery officers Stewards of Henley Royal Regatta British special constables Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve personnel of World War II Royal Air Force wing commanders British Army personnel of World War I British Army personnel of World War II