Canon Noel Duckworth

John Noel Duckworth (1912-1980), M.A., T.D., Canon of Accra, First Chaplain of Churchill College.

He coxed winning Blue Boats in 1934-1936, and the GB VIII in 1936. During the World War II he spent time in Pudu Gaol, in Changi Prison, a prisoner-of-war camp where he acted as chaplain. His work in the camp was documented in Russell Braddon's "The Naked Island". He appeared on 'This is your life' in 1959.

He joined Churchill College in 1961, where he was instrumental in the foundation of both the Chapel at Churchill College and Churchill College Boat Club. He was also a staunch defender of women's rowing, acting as coach to the Cambridge University Women's Boat Club (whom he referred to as the "Perspiring Persephones" and the "Sweaty Bettys") and helping to organise their defence campaign when the President of the Cambridge University Boat Club attempted in 1964 to have them banned from the Bumps races, an attempt which ultimately failed. He retired in 1973.

References

* [http://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/boatclub/history.html#duckworth Boat Club History entry for Canon Duckworth]
* [http://beehive.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/default.asp?WCI=SiteHome&ID=8900&PageID=48628 This is your life reference]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/34/a5055734.shtml Account by Frederick Austin on BBC People's War web-site]