Pulling Through: The Story of the King’s Cup, Slattery Media, Melbourne, 2019
The story behind the winning of the 1919 King’s Cup by the Australian Imperial Forces No. 1 crew is fascinating. Wartime authorities created diversions for war weary soldiers who needed activities as they waited for up to two years for transport home …
Wartime authorities sought to keep the King’s Cup as a trophy of war. The rowers and astute administrators of the time had other ideas. After failing through traditional channels to claim the Cup, they petitioned the King to allow the trophy to become the perpetual trophy to be presented to the winners of the Men’s Interstate Eight-Oared Championship of Australia. Given the large number of rower soldiers in WWI, the request could not be denied, eventually confirmed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Winston Churchill. The story, and the recognition of rowers who served in WWI, will continue, in perpetuity, as the states battle to win this prized trophy each year. (blurb)
The book is reviewed for Honest History by Lucas Jordan. Sydney launch.
Another book on the same subject is The Oarsmen, by Scott Patterson.