Humphrey Playford

Humphrey Blake Playford (8 February 1896 – 1981) was an English rower distinguished by rowing in three successful races against Oxford University and rowing Head of the River for Jesus College, Cambridge in the same three years.

Playford was born in Hampton, then in Middlesex, the son of Frank Lumley Playford and his wife, Kate Percy

He was educated at St Paul's School, London. Leaving school in 1914, he was employed as a temporary Clerk in the Army Audit Office, Headquarters, Eastern Command. He attested in the British Army on 27 December 1915 and was mustered on strength as a Driver, Army Service Corps. He was discharged on 21 January 1916 to take up a Commission, being appointed Second Lieutenant, Army Service Corps, Horse Transport, with effect from 22 January 1916. He crossed to France in April 1916. In 1918 he returned to England and was posted on attachment to 70 Wing, Royal Air Force, Felixstowe. He resigned his commission with effect from 29 January 1919.

Playford went up to Jesus College, Cambridge in 1919, graduating B.A. in 1921 and M.A. in 1925.

He was 6 ft 5in tall, with a long reach, and quickly made his mark as a rower: In March 1919 he was picked in the place of R.C. Guthrie (indisposed) to row in the Jesus College crew in the semi-finals of the Fixed-seat, Eight oared Races.

He rowed in the winning Cambridge crews in the Boat Race in 1920, 1921 and 1922.

In July 1921 Playford won the Silver Goblets at Henley in a coxed pair with John Campbell, defeating Guy Oliver Nickalls and Richard Lucas “easily” in the final.

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