William "Bill" Windham

William “Bill” Windham was a European rowing champion and Team GB Olympian. Born in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, in 1926, Windham matriculated at Christ’s in 1944 and studied Mechanical Sciences.

During his time at Christ’s, Windham rowed at Henley for the College in 1945; the first regatta after WWII. He then went on to row for the University, and was a member of The Boat Race winning crews of both 1947 and 1951.

Outside of his University rowing career, Windham rowed eights for England in the 1950 Empire Games and won a bronze medal. The same year, he rowed for Great Britain in the European Rowing Championships; again winning a bronze medal. In 1951, Windham once again represented Great Britain in the European Rowing Championships; this time winning a gold. The following year, Windham represented Great Britain at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Finland, coming in fourth position. He also continued his career at Henley, rowing for Leander Club, and won the Grand in 1949 and 1952. His final Henley wins were in 1953 as the club captain, when he achieved a double in the Stewards and the Grand.

At the end of his rowing career, Windham was elected Steward of Henley Royal Regatta, and served as a member of the Committee of Management from 1972. At the time of his death, Windham had served 67 years as Steward and became the longest serving Steward in the history of the Regatta. He was also elected President of Leander Club in 1993 and served for five years.

In 2006, on the final day of the May Bumps, a College boat was named after him.