Karl Vernon
Encyclopedia
Karl Vernon sometimes known by his nickname The Bean was a British
rower and coach who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics
.
in around 1904, first appearing at Henley Royal Regatta
in 1906, with Julius Beresford
as runners-up in Goblets
and in a Thames Cup
eight (which also included Bruce Logan
). Beresford and Vernon were runners-up in Silver Goblets again in 1907 and 1908.
In the Autumn of 1907, having become frustrated by their inability to impress the Thames coaches, Vernon and Beresford formed a new four with Logan and Charlie Rought
. This four (with Vernon in the 2 seat) would stay together, on and off, for the next five years, winning the Stewards' Challenge Cup
at Henley in 1909 and 1911.
Then, with cox Geoffrey Carr
, the Thames Rowing Club coxed four
won the silver medal for Great Britain rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics
.
In the First World War, he served with the Royal Army Medical Corps
and was awarded the Military Medal
.
Vernon later went on to become a regular coach at Thames and at numerous University clubs. In 1954 he had all his trophies and medals melted down and made into a trophy for the Head of the River Race
.
He was Captain of Thames from 1930-32 and was elected a Vice President of the Club in 1943.
Outside rowing he was an architect, spending at least some of his career at the London County Council
. He also designed an extension to the Thames clubhouse.
He was a talented draughtsman and sketcher; works by Vernon were frequently used as prizes in local regattas.
Vernon was a vegetarian and this led to his lifelong nickname "The Bean".
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 and coach who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics
1912 Summer Olympics
The 1912 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the V Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Stockholm, Sweden, between 5 May and 27 July 1912. Twenty-eight nations and 2,407 competitors, including 48 women, competed in 102 events in 14 sports...
.
Life
Vernon was born in Neuenahr, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. He joined Thames Rowing ClubThames 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....
in around 1904, first appearing 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...
in 1906, with Julius Beresford
Julius Beresford
Julius Beresford , also known as Berry or The Old Berry, was a British rower and coach who competed at the 1912 Summer Olympics.-Life:...
as runners-up in Goblets
Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup
The Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless pairs 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. Two clubs may combine to make an entry.-History:The Silver Goblets...
and in a Thames Cup
Thames Challenge Cup
The Thames Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's eights at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from a single rowing club. Boat clubs from any university, college or secondary school are not permitted, neither are squad...
eight (which also included Bruce Logan
Bruce Logan (rower)
Hubert Bruce Logan was a British rower who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.-Life:Logan was born at Chesterton, Cambridge, the son of John Maxwell Samuel Logan and his wife Alice Mary Bullard. He became a member of Thames Rowing Club and in 1909 and 1911 was a member of the crew that won the...
). Beresford and Vernon were runners-up in Silver Goblets again in 1907 and 1908.
In the Autumn of 1907, having become frustrated by their inability to impress the Thames coaches, Vernon and Beresford formed a new four with Logan and Charlie Rought
Charles Rought
Charles Gardner Rought was a British rower who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.-Life:Rought was born in Surbiton. He became a member of Thames Rowing Club and in 1909 and 1911 was a member of the crew that won the Stewards' Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta...
. This four (with Vernon in the 2 seat) would stay together, on and off, for the next five years, winning the Stewards' Challenge Cup
Stewards' Challenge Cup
The Stewards' Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless fours 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. Two or more clubs may combine to make an entry....
at Henley in 1909 and 1911.
Then, with cox Geoffrey Carr
Geoffrey Carr
Geoffrey Carr was a British rower who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.Carr was born in Putney and became a member of Thames Rowing Club. He was the coxswain of the Thames Rowing Club coxed four which won the silver medal for Great Britain rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics.-External links:*...
, the Thames Rowing Club 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....
won the silver medal for Great Britain rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics
Rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics
Rowing at the 1912 Summer Olympics featured 4 events, for men only. All races were held in Djurgårdsbrunnsviken from Thursday, July 17 to Saturday, July 19, 1912.-Medal summary:-Bronze medals:...
.
In the First World War, he served with the Royal Army Medical Corps
Royal Army Medical Corps
The Royal Army Medical Corps is a specialist corps in the British Army which provides medical services to all British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace...
and was awarded the Military Medal
Military Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
.
Vernon later went on to become a regular coach at Thames and at numerous University clubs. In 1954 he had all his trophies and medals melted down and made into a trophy for the Head of the River Race
Head of the River Race
The Head of the River Race is a processional rowing race held annually on the River Thames in London, England, on the 4.25 mile Championship Course from Mortlake to Putney.-History:...
.
He was Captain of Thames from 1930-32 and was elected a Vice President of the Club in 1943.
Outside rowing he was an architect, spending at least some of his career at the London County Council
London County Council
London County Council was the principal local government body for the County of London, throughout its 1889–1965 existence, and the first London-wide general municipal authority to be directly elected. It covered the area today known as Inner London and was replaced by the Greater London Council...
. He also designed an extension to the Thames clubhouse.
He was a talented draughtsman and sketcher; works by Vernon were frequently used as prizes in local regattas.
Vernon was a vegetarian and this led to his lifelong nickname "The Bean".
Henley Royal Regatta
- 1909 - Stewards' Challenge CupStewards' Challenge CupThe Stewards' Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless fours 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. Two or more clubs may combine to make an entry....
- 1911 - Stewards' Challenge Cup
- 1919 Victory Regatta - Fawley Cup