J.H. Walker

J.H. Walker was a professional sculler from Thornaby.

13th August 1881

Bell's Life reported: J. Walker and D. Farney contested a mile on the Tees this Saturday afternoon for £20 a side. The race was in open boats and the course was from the bottom of the Gardens to the Staithes at Stockton. There was but little to choose between the men in point of favouritism, and what betting there was ruled at evens, although shortly after the start 6 to 4 and then 2 to 1 was laid on Walker. After a false start, they got capitally away and rowed evenly for the first dozen strokes; Walker then forged ahead and at a quarter of a mile was leading by a length. This he increased to a length and a half when half the course had been traversed. Farney, however, spurted and stuck well to his work, but Walker ultimately won by nearly a length and a half.

1906 Stockton Regatta

In 1906 at the Stockton Regatta, a large crowd watched the professional sculling match between Walker and Harry Atkinson of Chester-le-Street, held over a half a mile course at Stockton for £25 a side. Walker won by one and a half lengths although the betting was 11/10 on Atkinson.