John Pinches
Encyclopedia
John Harvey Pinches, MC
, (9 April 1916 - 2 July 2007) was an English rower
, Royal Engineers officer, medallist and author.
Pinches was born at Chelsea, London
, the son of John Robert Pinches and Irene Inchbold. His father was a medallist in the family business which was founded in London by Pinches’ great-great uncle in 1840. After attending Chelsea Polytechnic and two years’ engineering training, Pinches joined the family firm.
Pinches was a member London Rowing Club
and was in the crews which won events at Henley Royal Regatta
from 1935 to 1939 including the Grand Challenge Cup
, the leading race for eights at the Regatta, in 1938. He was also a member of The Skiff Club
and won the Gentlemen's Single Sculls at the Skiff Championships Regatta
in 1937, 1938 and 1939. He also won the Gentlemen's Double Sculls in 1937 and 1938.
In the Second World War, Pinches was commissioned into the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, but was transferred to the Royal Engineers
because of his engineering qualifications He served in North Africa, Palestine, Greece and Italy. He won the Military Cross
at Salerno on September 22, 1943. The British Army’s advance north was held up by a lorry and anti-tank gun which had broken down, blocking a bridge. Pinches pulled a heavy winch rope single-handed across the bridge under enemy fire to the damaged vehicle so it could be towed away. Later he served in the occupation of Austria before being demobilised as Lieutenant-Colonel.
In 1947, together with Edward Sturges
, he won the Silver Goblets for pairs at Henley, after a memorable semi-final victory by six feet. He was approached by the Amateur Rowing Association
to ask if he would make up a crew with Dickie Burnell
for the 1948 Summer Olympics
, which were to be held on the Henley course. Pinches insisted on having proper trials, but as these were not customary at the time, the ARA paired Burnell with Bert Bushnell
, who subsequently won the pairs. In 1950, Pinches was runner-up in the Silver Goblets with Sturges and won the Gentlemen's Single Scull in the Skiff Championships again. Pinches was an ebullient and enthusiastic captain of the London Rowing Club in 1952. He became an international coach and attended world and European championships, as well as the 1960 Summer Olympics
in Rome, when he advised the coxless four
s and coxed four
s. He continued to row competitively until he was 60, his last victory being in an international veterans’ regatta in 1976 at Tours, France.
Pinches continued to run the family medallion business, whose output included badges and insignia in Britain, commemorative issues for much of the Commonwealth, and decorations and order
s for overseas governments. It was sold to the Franklin Mint of Philadelphia, USA, in 1969 and Pinches moved to Wiltshire. His wife, Rosemary, had worked at the Royal College of Arms and established a heraldry and genealogy business. Together they wrote books of heraldry and genealogy.
Pinches died at the age of 91.
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, (9 April 1916 - 2 July 2007) was an English 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...
, Royal Engineers officer, medallist and author.
Pinches was born at Chelsea, London
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
, the son of John Robert Pinches and Irene Inchbold. His father was a medallist in the family business which was founded in London by Pinches’ great-great uncle in 1840. After attending Chelsea Polytechnic and two years’ engineering training, Pinches joined the family firm.
Pinches was a member London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club is one of the oldest rowing clubs on the River Thames in London, United Kingdom.It is regarded as one of the most exclusive and successful rowing clubs in Britain. and its Patron is HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh....
and was in the crews which won events 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...
from 1935 to 1939 including 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...
, the leading race for eights at the Regatta, in 1938. He was also a member of The Skiff Club
The Skiff Club
The Skiff Club is the oldest skiff and punting club in existence, having been founded in 1895. It is based on the River Thames in England, on the Middlesex bank between Teddington Lock and Kingston upon Thames....
and won the Gentlemen's Single Sculls at the Skiff Championships Regatta
Skiff Championships Regatta
The Skiff Championships Regatta is the premier skiff racing regatta on the River Thames in England. It is held annually at Henley on the Sunday of August Bank Holiday weekend.-Events and course:...
in 1937, 1938 and 1939. He also won the Gentlemen's Double Sculls in 1937 and 1938.
In the Second World War, Pinches was commissioned into the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, but was transferred to the Royal Engineers
Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
because of his engineering qualifications He served in North Africa, Palestine, Greece and Italy. He won the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
at Salerno on September 22, 1943. The British Army’s advance north was held up by a lorry and anti-tank gun which had broken down, blocking a bridge. Pinches pulled a heavy winch rope single-handed across the bridge under enemy fire to the damaged vehicle so it could be towed away. Later he served in the occupation of Austria before being demobilised as Lieutenant-Colonel.
In 1947, together with Edward Sturges
Edward Sturges
Edward M Sturges was an English rower, a behind-the-lines marines officer in World War II and a fitness enthusiast who ran an elite gymnasium in London....
, he won the Silver Goblets for pairs at Henley, after a memorable semi-final victory by six feet. He was approached by the Amateur Rowing Association
Amateur Rowing Association
British Rowing, formerly the Amateur Rowing Association , is the governing body in England for the sport of rowing. It is also responsible for the development and organisation of international rowing teams representing Great Britain...
to ask if he would make up a crew with 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...
for 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...
, which were to be held on the Henley course. Pinches insisted on having proper trials, but as these were not customary at the time, the ARA paired Burnell with Bert Bushnell
Bert Bushnell
Bertram "Bert" Harold Thomas Bushnell was a British rower who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics....
, who subsequently won the pairs. In 1950, Pinches was runner-up in the Silver Goblets with Sturges and won the Gentlemen's Single Scull in the Skiff Championships again. Pinches was an ebullient and enthusiastic captain of the London Rowing Club in 1952. He became an international coach and attended world and European championships, as well as the 1960 Summer Olympics
1960 Summer Olympics
The 1960 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held from August 25 to September 11, 1960 in Rome, Italy...
in Rome, when he advised the coxless four
Coxless four
A coxless four is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for four persons who propel the boat with sweep oars.The crew consists of four rowers, each having one oar. There are two rowers on the stroke side and two on the bow side...
s and coxed four
Coxed four
A coxed four is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for four persons who propel the boat with sweep oars and is steered by a cox....
s. He continued to row competitively until he was 60, his last victory being in an international veterans’ regatta in 1976 at Tours, France.
Pinches continued to run the family medallion business, whose output included badges and insignia in Britain, commemorative issues for much of the Commonwealth, and decorations and order
Order (decoration)
An order or order of merit is a visible honour, awarded by a government, dynastic house or international organization to an individual, usually in recognition of distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. The distinction between orders and decorations is somewhat vague, except that most...
s for overseas governments. It was sold to the Franklin Mint of Philadelphia, USA, in 1969 and Pinches moved to Wiltshire. His wife, Rosemary, had worked at the Royal College of Arms and established a heraldry and genealogy business. Together they wrote books of heraldry and genealogy.
Pinches died at the age of 91.
Publications
- The Royal Heraldry of England in 1974
- "Medals by John Pinches; A Catalog of Works Struck by the Company from 1840 to 1969", 1987.
- European Nobility and Heraldry in 1994