Donald Gollan
Encyclopedia
Donald Herbert Louis Gollan (19 January 1896 – 13 August 1971) was a British
rower
who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics
.
Gollan was born in Paddington
, London, the son of Spencer Gollan
a racehorse owner and sportsman. He was deaf and mute. He was a member of both Thames Rowing Club
and Vesta Rowing Club
. He was initially a single scull
er and first entered the Wingfield Sculls in 1914. In 1920 Gollan was runner up to Jack Beresford
in the Diamond Challenge Sculls
at Henley Royal Regatta
. and in the Wingfield Sculls. From 1920 he was Beresford's toughest competitor in the Wingfield Sculls which in 1921 were decided on a foul after Beresford's boat was holed in a clash with Gollan. Both scullers were being steered by their fathers and so in 1922 it was decided that fathers of competitors should not act as pilots or steer the cutters. Gollan was again runner up to Beresford in that year. In 1923 Gollan won the London Cup at the Metropolitan Regatta
but was runner up in the Diamonds to M K Morris, and to Beresford in the Wingfield Sculls. In 1925 he was again runner-up to Beresford at Henley.
In 1928 Gollan was a member of the Thames eight
which won the Grand Challenge Cup
at Henley. The crew then represented Great Britain rowing at the 1928 Summer Olympics
and won the silver medal.
Gollan died at Worthing, West Sussex, at the age of 75.
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 1928 Summer Olympics
1928 Summer Olympics
The 1928 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1928 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Amsterdam had bid for the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games, but had to give way to war-victim Antwerp, Belgium, and Pierre de...
.
Gollan was born in Paddington
Paddington
Paddington is a district within the City of Westminster, in central London, England. Formerly a metropolitan borough, it was integrated with Westminster and Greater London in 1965...
, London, the son of Spencer Gollan
Spencer Gollan
Spencer Herbert Gollan was a sportsman who excelled in rowing and golf and was also a race horse owner.Gollan was born at Napier in New Zealand and became a racehorse owner in Australia and New Zealand. He was also a golfer who twice won the amateur Championship of New Zealand, and was a...
a racehorse owner and sportsman. He was deaf and mute. He was a member of both Thames Rowing Club
Thames Rowing Club
Thames Rowing Club is a rowing club situated on the River Thames in Putney, London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1860.-Club colours:Red, white and black in stripes, the white stripe lying between the red and black and being of half their width....
and Vesta Rowing Club
Vesta Rowing Club
Vesta Rowing Club is a rowing club based on the River Thames in Putney, London, England. It was founded in 1870.Vesta organizes two head races every year; the Scullers Head and the Veterans Head.-Notable results:...
. He was initially a single scull
Single scull
A single scull is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for a single person who propels the boat with two oars, one in each hand....
er and first entered the Wingfield Sculls in 1914. In 1920 Gollan was runner up to Jack Beresford
Jack Beresford
Jack Beresford, CBE, was a British rower who won medals at five Olympic Games in succession, an Olympic record in rowing, which has since been tied by Steven Redgrave.-Early life:...
in the Diamond Challenge Sculls
Diamond Challenge Sculls
The Diamond Challenge Sculls is a rowing event for men's single sculls at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England...
at Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...
. and in the Wingfield Sculls. From 1920 he was Beresford's toughest competitor in the Wingfield Sculls which in 1921 were decided on a foul after Beresford's boat was holed in a clash with Gollan. Both scullers were being steered by their fathers and so in 1922 it was decided that fathers of competitors should not act as pilots or steer the cutters. Gollan was again runner up to Beresford in that year. In 1923 Gollan won the London Cup at the Metropolitan Regatta
Metropolitan Regatta
The Metropolitan Regatta is an international rowing regatta. It takes place on Dorney Lake, Buckinghamshire near Eton next to the River Thames in southern England. It attracts crews from schools, clubs and universities from around the United Kingdom, Europe and the USA...
but was runner up in the Diamonds to M K Morris, and to Beresford in the Wingfield Sculls. In 1925 he was again runner-up to Beresford at Henley.
In 1928 Gollan was a member of the Thames eight
Eight (rowing)
An Eight is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for eight rowers, who propel the boat with sweep oars, and is steered by a coxswain, or cox....
which won the Grand Challenge Cup
Grand Challenge Cup
The Grand Challenge Cup is a rowing competition for men's eights. It is the oldest and most prestigious event at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs...
at Henley. The crew then represented Great Britain rowing at the 1928 Summer Olympics
Rowing at the 1928 Summer Olympics
Rowing at the 1928 Summer Olympics featured 7 events, for men only. The competitions were held from August 2, 1928 to August 10, 1928.-Medal summary:-Participating nations:A total of 245 rowers from 19 nations competed at the Amsterdam Games:...
and won the silver medal.
Gollan died at Worthing, West Sussex, at the age of 75.