Bert Bushnell
Encyclopedia
Bertram "Bert" Harold Thomas Bushnell (3 September 1921 – 10 January 2010) was a British
rower
who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics
.
In 1948 he won the gold medal with his partner Dickie Burnell
in the double scull
s event and until he was 26 years old, was celebrated as Britain's best single sculler.
Widowed after the death of his wife Margaret in 1988, he died on 10 January 2010 and was survived by three daughters and six granddaughters. He lived in the Henley area for the last twenty years of his life.
Bushnell was an honorary life member of the Leander Club
and donated his gold medal to the River and Rowing Museum
in Henley.
It is often cited that Bushnell had a brief relationship with Grace Kelly
, during which she confessed to him her ambitions to be a dancer.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
rower
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics
1948 Summer Olympics
The 1948 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in London, England, United Kingdom. After a 12-year hiatus because of World War II, these were the first Summer Olympics since the 1936 Games in Berlin...
.
In 1948 he won the gold medal with his partner Dickie Burnell
Dickie Burnell
Richard "Dickie" Desborough Burnell was an English rower who competed for Great Britain in the 1948 Summer Olympics.He was born in Henley-on-Thames and died in Wallingford...
in the double scull
Double scull
A double scull is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for two persons who propel the boat by sculling with two oars, one in each hand....
s event and until he was 26 years old, was celebrated as Britain's best single sculler.
Widowed after the death of his wife Margaret in 1988, he died on 10 January 2010 and was survived by three daughters and six granddaughters. He lived in the Henley area for the last twenty years of his life.
Bushnell was an honorary life member of the Leander Club
Leander Club
Leander Club, founded in 1818, is one of the oldest rowing clubs in the world. It is based in Remenham in the English county of Berkshire, adjoining Henley-on-Thames...
and donated his gold medal to the River and Rowing Museum
River and Rowing Museum
The River and Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England, is located on a site at Mill Meadows by the River Thames. It has three main themes represented by major permanent galleries, the non-tidal River Thames, the international sport of rowing and the local town of...
in Henley.
It is often cited that Bushnell had a brief relationship with Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly
Grace Patricia Kelly was an American actress who, in April 1956, married Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, to become Princess consort of Monaco, styled as Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco, and commonly referred to as Princess Grace.After embarking on an acting career in 1950, at the age of...
, during which she confessed to him her ambitions to be a dancer.