Comments on: At Doggett’s Coat & Badge Race

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 16:18:30 +0000

Thank you for posting this. It’s bizarre that you met the lady whose ancestor won in 1825 (George Fogo, the grandson of a previous winner, won in 1825); my 4x great grandfather, according to the Watermen & Lightermen’s records, came third that year (his son was runner up in 1850). I do hope the Company can run the race for 2020 in 2021 to maintain the race’s unbroken record.

By: pam leevers

pam leevers — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 03:44:09 +0000

My great, grandfather was a man called John Doggett on my mother’s side. I only wish I had know about this when I lived in London for 2 years in the early 70’s. Never knew anything about my history…it was never spoken about.

He lived in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane and there is a historical cottage called Doggett Cottage which was built by John Doggett’s cousin. It is a private home.

By: Debbie Pond

Debbie Pond — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 12:55:46 +0000

I am sincerely proud of my 3 x great grandfather Thomas Caffin White who won the Doggett’s in 1857. His brother Henry James White won the race two years before in 1855. They both came to Australia and created our Aussie family. When we first visited London in 2011 I had no idea of the connection but felt strangely ‘home’. My husband’s family were silk weavers in Bethnal Green and we will be back this year to explore more.

By: Delia Paul

Delia Paul — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 17:06:50 +0000

It has been passed down through our family that Thomas Doggett was a relative . My great grandparents were Doggett. I don’t know how true this is but would like to know as a fact if we were related Thank you Delia Paul( maiden name) married name Parker

By: Robert John Cottrell

Robert John Cottrell — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 23:26:26 +0000

As author of the newly published book THOMAS DOGGETT COAT & BADGE (300 years of history) I consider myself something of a history buff regards Thomas Doggett. Did he die a pauper when buried at Eltham Church (South East London), what year was he born? Why did he borrow money in 1715 and if it was to finance the annually held sculling race that still takes place today? Why borrow if he had a small fortune? Who did he marry -certainly his wife is also buried at Eltham, but who was she.

How did Thomas Doggett manage his finances after he retired from the stage and management of the early 1700’s theatre?

Why was there so many suicides in 1720/1721 and why did one of his closest friends have his estate taken away and sold?

All this and more is within the new book. Plus every known competitor who was eligible to scull in the race, with reports on every race between 1715 and 2015.

If you think you know all there is to know about Doggett, start reading the book and realise you have only been scratching the surface of Thomas Doggett.

Check the web page http://www.trueflaregenealogy for price of the book. Available now.

Happy reading.

By: pauline taylor

pauline taylor — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 13:44:45 +0000

I too agree with all the comments so far, this is a wonderful tradition, and I often wonder what it was like in days gone by as so many of my ancestors were watermen from the 16th to the 18th century. They plied their trade from Lambeth to Westminster at the Horseferry and on the Archbishop’s barge, so it quite likely that some of them took part in this race, maybe they even may have won who can tell!

My grandfather, who lived beside the River Lea, was renowned for his skill in the single sculls races for which he won many prizes and I still treasure the Gladstone gold medal that he won which is inscribed with his name and the date (1895). He was a member of the Tiger Rowing and Athletic Club on the River Lea and I have a photo which shows him sitting cross legged at the front of the group of 60+ members and wearing his rowing club cap and a white sweater. I have donated a copy of this photo to Hackney Archives and I believe that it can now be seen online, well worth a look if you get a chance GA, and if anyone should know any more about the Tiger Rowing Club I hope that they will let you know.

By: Helen Breen

Helen Breen — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 11:07:58 +0000

Greetings from Boston,

GA, yet another fabulous piece about London and the Thames rich traditions. I agree with all that was said above. Wonderful sketches and photos of the event over the years too.

By: Malcolm

Malcolm — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 11:03:55 +0000

As the son of a London Fishmonger I have a connection with Billingsgate and Fishmongers Hall. This great tradition of Doggett’s Coat and Badge race is something I’ve watched many times, although, sadly, I didn’t go this year. My cousin was a member of the Poplar and Blackwall rowing club and he used to row with Kenny Dwan who was a lighterman on the Thames and rowed in the Olympics. I’m not sure if he ever rowed in Doggett’s race but it would be quite likely.
The Thames is the reason London exists and is the basis of the City’s fortune and from which the nation’s power was built. It might look as if the river only exists for tourists but this is not so. The river is still used every day by many working people from Tilbury docks as far as Windsor and beyond.
Long may Doggett’s race continue.

By: Peter Holford

Peter Holford — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 09:57:41 +0000

My dad was a serious rower and won loads of cups and medals including Henley. He used to row on the River Lea and in the Thames but I never remember him telling me of this. But perhaps as a kid I wasn’t listening to half of what he was saying and if I was it might not have meant anything. I seem to remember him talking about Thames Traders and Tideway Scullers but that might have been linked to my childhood near the Thames at Putney. Interesting read – has fleshed out a bit more about Dad’s youth!

By: Caroline Bottomley

Caroline Bottomley — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 09:50:51 +0000

Who makes the costume? Is there a special place that makes historical costume for these kind of events?
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