After three decades in the publishing industry, Gavin Jamieson of Lapwing Publishing Services, makes his debut as an author. Water’s Gleaming Gold tells the story of Hugh ‘Jumbo’ Edwards, a double Olympic gold medallist, World War II fighter pilot and legendary Oxford coach.
It charts Jumbo’s adventures from cradle to grave. From his early years in an Oxfordshire vicarage (his father was the vicar) to Westminster School and rowing on the Thames, where he occasionally spotted his hero Jack Beresford; they would become Olympic teammates.
He followed his brother ‘Sphinx’ to Oxford University and earnt his Blue in the 1926 Boat Race but collapsed mid-race. Redemption came via unprecedented triumphs at Henley Royal Regatta and the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. He was a disciple of Steve Fairbairn for whom he rowed at London Rowing Club.