On Remembrance Day 2026, Mercantile pays tribute to three members our winning 1914 Henley Junior Eight.

In 1914, the last full season before WWI, a Mercantile Junior Eight won at the Henley Regatta. Sadly three of that crew would die in WWI. They were J William Cumberland, Norman C Nation and Norman Johnson.

Mercantile winning 1914 Junior Eight

This crew obviously enjoyed their rowing and the company of each other. They had won the maiden eight double at Upper Yarra and Albert Park Lake Regattas in the previous season and had kept together through winter to race at the junior level. Henley regatta in those days was not only then first regatta of the season in late October, but also the biggest and most prestigious regatta. They were the next generation of senior oarsmen who were lost to the Club in WWI.

They were also all great leaders.

Cumberland was severely wounded and recovered in England before returning to battle in 1917. On 17^th June 1918 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, a significant bravery award. He was now a battle hardened and highly experienced soldier, a leader of men. He was in all respects a distinguished soldier. On 25^th June 1918, he was promoted in the field to Sergeant. On 9^th August 1918, he was wounded in action with gun-shot wounds to the leg and head. Such wounds again are consistent with another frontal assault on the enemy. He died the next day.

Nation was also a great leader rising from private to being commissioned in field as a second lieutenant. He died in a disasterous attack which was fully documented by official historian Charles Bean in his well known history. Let us dwell for a second on what Norman, together with Captain Williams and Lieutenant Pickett did. They advanced into enemy fire to bomb the German positions. They led this dangerous task from the front. It was an act of great courage, valour and leadership. Norman Nation was shot in the head and died instantly.

Norman Johnson was another leader who was promoted to Lieutenant on 21st March 1916, then Captain on 3rd May 1917. Sadly he was badly wounded on the evening of Sunday 16th December 1917 whilst bringing his company out of the line from a position east of Messines. He had his company out and was returning their gum boots back to the store. A shell hit the store and he was would badly injured in the legs with the left leg shattered. Despite being given immediate first aid and being transferred to a central casuality station by ambulance, he died of his wounds two days later.

In the 1921-22 season, three new fours were named in the honour of these three friends.

Lest we forget.