Sidney Rand (rower)
Sidney Charles Rand (17 August 1934 – 25 December 2008) was an English rower who competed for Great Britain at the 1956 Summer Olympics and at the 1960 Summer Olympics. He won the Wingfield Sculls in 1954 and the Double Sculls Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta in 1956. Life and sport Rand was born in Tottenham, the eldest of three children. He and his brother Willy were evacuated during the Second World War to 44 Irthlingborough Road, Finedon, Northants. After the war the family returned to Tottenham and Rand attended Down Lane School. He started rowing on the River Lea in east London at the age of 14 where he sculled a Thames skiff until he was good enough for a fine boat. He raced at various regattas such as the Norfolk Sculls in 1952 until, he joined the Royal Air Force on National Service that year. He was posted to RAF Benson, where as a corporal, he rowed for the RAF, the force's rowing facilities being based with Wallingford Rowing Club across the River Thames. In 1954 Rand won the Wingfield Sculls beating Tony Fox and John Marsden and competed in the event nine times in his career.