Dai Wilson (61-65) died on 27th December 2024 aged 76. He left a wife Sue, two daughters and grandchildren. 

At the Nautical College Dai became a Cadet Leader in Macquarie Division and left the school in 1965 “to try for the Army.” His principal contribution, however, was as Cox of the winning 1st VIII in the 1963 Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup. “He was a good cox at Henley and always set up on the church steeple and steered a good race,” recalls the stroke of that crew Julian Coles (59-63). Dai wrote about the crew’s exploits in the Summer 1963 edition of The Log in notably modest fashion without once mentioning his own crucial role in this victory.

Following Dai’s death members of that crew, now scattered around the globe, recalled him with affection. One of them, Shaun Maynard (60-64) in Johannesburg, described him as “an officer and a gentleman” and gave details of his subsequent career as follows.

“Some years ago, Dai came to Johannesburg on his way to a safari and spent a very happy weekend with us. It was there that I learnt more about his life. After NCP he joined the Parachute Regiment as a soldier and gained his blue para wings. From there he entered RMA Sandhurst and was told by his instructor on joining: "You aren't going to have a problem here!" Dai passed out and was commissioned into one of the old Welsh regiments which was his goal. 

“From there he soldiered, reaching the rank of acting Major and serving three tours in Northern Ireland - a nasty business. On being posted for a fourth tour, he resigned citing strong disagreement with the Brigadier in charge and the Army in general. 

“After the Army, Dai joined one of the leading trading companies in the Far East and led an exciting and interesting life doing business in various commodities of which palm oil was one. The lure of home saw him return to the UK in the 2000s where he became involved with a fish curing company until he retired to live life as a country gentleman.”

In 2013 the 1963 crew reunited for a ceremonial row-past at Henley regatta 50 years after its Princess Elizabeth triumph – the first of four by a Pangbourne crew in this prestigious contest. Dai once again coxed the crew with elan and determination as a photo supplied by Garth McDonald shows.