William LAURIE

Ran Laurie, who was educated at Monkton Combe and Selwyn College, Cambridge, established a fine reputation as stroke when he was an undergraduate. He was in the winning Cambridge eight for three successive years and in the last tow years, 1935 and 1936, he was the stroke. Later in 1936 he stroked the British eight that finished fourth at the Berlin Olympics but possibly his greatest performance came in the Grand in 1934, when he stroked the winning Leander eight as they set a Henley record which was to last until 1952. After the 1936 Olympics, Laurie joined the Government Service in Sudan where his friend and future Olympic partner, John Wilson was also serving. They had rowed together at Cambridge, rowing for three winning Boar Race crews. In 1938 they took their leave together and won the Goblets at Henley. Ten years later they again traveled to England from the Sudan and won the Goblets for a second time before going on to win the Olympic title. When Ran Laurie finally retired to England he qualified as a doctor. After their Olympic win, Laurie returned to the Sudan and worked there until the early 50s. He then switched careers and became a doctor, practicing in Oxford for over 30 years. In 1951 he became a Steward of the Henley Royal Regatta. Laurie was educated at Monkton Combe and Selwyn College, Cambridge. He was chairman of the Oxford Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Committee from 1959-69 and of the Save the Children Branch from 1986-89. He was also the father of Hugh Laurie, who rowed in the World Junior Championships before becoming better known as an actor/comedian who became a star in the UK through the "A Bit of Fry & Laurie" TV series before becoming even better known from his primary role in the US TV series "House".