Louis Petrin writes,

I do love the Doggett’s Race and I only just noticed that there is no report on HTBS of the Diamond Jubilee Coat and Badge Race. Its old news now, but then HTBS is a rowing history website.

On September 4, 2012, a special race to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee was held by the Watermen’s Company.  The participants of this special race qualified from heats contested by 14 apprentices over 2,000 metres at the Royal Albert Dock.

The race from Shadwell Basin, the entrance of the Old London Dock, to London Bridge was won by Christopher Anness in a time of 12 min. 19.77 sec.

Result:
1. C. Anness                12:19.77
2. P. Spencer                12:31.68
3. D. Arnold                12:54.03
4. A. Anderson            13:03.18
5. S. Coleman              13:33.40

Unfortunately, Merlin Dwan, who had qualified for the race and had won the Doggett’s Coat and Badge earlier in July, was not able to take part through injury.

The blue Winner’s Coat was made to accompany the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Badge, the design of which has been based on the Deptford Apprentices Annual Regatta Badge of 1861, which is in The Company’s collection.

Photo: Tim Koch