IOC Member John Hanbury-Williams*

Tsar Nicholas II’s Comrade in Arms: IOC Member John Hanbury-Williams*

By Richard K. Barney

It was a somber group of family members and married Ann Emily Reiss, eldest daughter of Emil Reiss, dignitaries, including the representative of England’s owner of a business firm with substantial interests King George Vth, that followed the Union flag-draped in Far East Asia. Eventually, there were four children coffin of John Hanbury-Williams from St. George’s in the marriage, three girls and a boy.2 Returning Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle on the to England from South Africa inlate 1900, Hanbury- afternoon of 23 October 1946.1 Hanbury-Williams had Williams entered the War Office as private secretary to passed away five days earlier, in fact, on the day of his the Secretary of State for War, Sir John Broderick, serv- 87th birthday. His had been a colorful life, one imbued ing there until 1904, at which time he was promoted with family, high office, collision of arms, and yes, even to Brevet-Colonel. In November 1904 he was appoint- sport. In a lifetime of service to King and country, he ed Military Secretary to the new Governor-General to rose to become a Major-General in the British Army; a Canada, Lord Earl Grey. Arriving in Ottawa in early 1905, valued and trusted colleague of the last of the Romanov a series of events catapulted him into the then embryo tsars, Nicholas II; a loyal servant to the King of England; Olympic affairs of the Dominion, matters that will be and, parenthetically, a Member of the International addressed shortly. Hanbury-Williams served almost five Olympic Committee. Although his funeral was attended years in Canada, returning to England in late 1909. by a king, princes and princesses, lords and ladies of Shortly before departing Canada, the British crown distinction, members of the military and Diplomatic made him a Knight Commander of the Victorian Order. Corp, education and industrial figures of note, and re Henceforth, he would be addressed as Sir John. Imme- presentatives of the Red Cross, Girl Guides, and Windsor diately upon his return to England from Canada, further Youth Club. The International Olympic Committee was honors awaited him. He was promoted to Brigadier- John Hanbury- unrepresented, and this, less than two years before General and posted to Scotland, where he was placed Williams (1859–1946), the Games of the XIV Olympiad were scheduled to be in charge of Administration, Scotland Command. He elected to the IOC in celebrated in London in the summer of 1948. was promoted to Major-General in 1912. This was his last 1911. He resigned at Before delving into John Hanbury-Williams’ Olympic military promotion in the service to his country.3 end of 1920. In a book career, a short account of his colorful life and merito- At the very outbreak of the Great War, he embarked published in 1922 by rious career is in order. The youngest son of Ferdinand on what became the most important and trying Arthur L. Humphreys Hanbury-Williams, sheriff of Monmouthshire, and assignment of his career, Chief of the British Military in London, he describes Elizabeth Jane McRobert Hanbury-Williams, infant Mission at the Headquarters of the Russian Armies at his experiences with John was born on the 19th of October 1859 in Coldbrook, Baranovitchi.4 Later in his life, Hanbury-Williams wrote Tsar Nicholas II during Monmouthshire, Wales. He was educated at Wellington a book about his experiences serving in Russia with Tsar World War I and the College before entering military college at Sandhurst. At Nicholas, Commander in Chief of the Russian forces.5 Russian revolution. 19 Hanbury-Williams launched his military career, being When one considers the fate of Russia’s alliance with gazetted to the Royal Sussex Regiment and, thence, to the Western powers in the war against Germany and the 43rd Light Infantry. From 1878 to 1900 heserved with the Central Powers, as well as the horror of the Russian distinction on active service overseas, including the revolution and ultimately the massacre of Tsar Nicholas campaign against Arabi Pasha, where his horse was shot and his family, one is left in some awe by the immensity from beneath him at the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir (Egypt). of the events and personalities surrounding Hanbury- Promoted to Major in 1896 he began a substantial Williams from early August 1914 to late April 1917. Living journey in the administration of British military and in quarters arranged in a railroad car, dining frequently diplomatic matters, serving, successively, in India as with the Tsar, the Tsarina, and a cadre of senior officers, Aide de Camp to Governor Sir M. E. Grant Duff in Madras sojourning frequently to forward battle positions on (1884-1885), in Burma as Aide de Camp to General Sir the eastern front, and witnessing the explosion of H. Macpherson (1886)), and in South Africa as Military revolutionary fervor and hatred against the Romanovs, Secretary to Governor Sir Alfred Milner (1896-1900) provide the grist for Hanbury-Williams’ recollections. which included service in the Boer War. In 1888 he Surrounding the entire episode, and indeed the flavor

56 of his feelings, are Hanbury-Williams’ deep and abiding admiration, respect, indeed affection for the Romanov family, particularly the Emperor himself and his only son, the young Tsarevitch, with whom he formed a special bond. Following the withdrawal of Russia from World War I, but with the fighting still in progress on the western front, Hanbury-Williams was posted to the Hague in the Netherlands and then to Bern, Switzerland where he was in charge of the British Prisoner of War Department. In 1919, aged 60, he retired from military service and entered the Royal Household at Windsor Castle as First Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, a post, he was to hold until 1934.6 From 1934 to his death in 1946, Hanbury- Williams lived in an apartment in the Henry III Tower at Windsor Castle, serving as Extra Equerry to the King. His life was one of notable achievement.

Architect of Canada’s First Olympic Committee however, remained stymied.9 Be that as it may, when In the field: Hanbury- and the Nation’s First IOC Member London’s 1908 Olympic Games opened in July at Williams (in obser Shepherd’s Bush, a Canadian team, 32 athletes strong, vation balloon basket) By the time of Hanbury-Williams’ arrival in Canada in clad, as its team manager related, in “neat cream white visits Tsar Nicholas’ early 1905, the phenomenon called the Modern Olympic uniforms”, marched into the stadium.10 John Howard troops on the Games was not completely unknown in the Dominion. Crocker, a Toronto YMCA physical education director, Russo-German No Canadian took part in the first Games of their modern served as the Canadian Team Manager, while the afore- front, July 1916. revival in 1896 in Athens; the organization of a Canadian mentioned William Sherring served as coach. team of amateur athletes for international competition The Canadian team performed admirably, but none was simply beyond the ways and means of the nation’s better than Robert Kerr of Hamilton, Ontario, who won fledgling sport governing bodies. George Orton, the gold medal in the 200 m and captured the bronze “renowned” Canadian miler, competed in what passed medal in the 100 m. Noted Canadian Onondoga Indian for the second Games in Paris in 1900. But Orton, born in marathon runner Tom Longboat was a favorite to win Strathroy, Ontario, and in 1900 a recent PhD graduate at the marathon event. Disappointingly, he failed to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, went to finish, though four of his teammates did complete the Paris as a representative of the New York Athletic Club, race among the top dozen finishers.11 Back in Canada, in effect, as part of the United States contingent of ath- Hanbury-Williams and his fellow Canadian Olympic letes.7 Orton won the 2500 m steeplechase and placed Committee Members, basked in the glory of Canadian third in the 400m hurdles. To this day, he is listed in success at the nation’s first Olympic Games as a the record books as American, not Canadian. Then, too, bonafide team.12 What was John Hanbury-Williams’ role Montreal policeman Étienne Desmarteau journeyed to and pathway to this landmark event? St. Louis to take part in what passed for the 1904 Olympic A year after Sir Albert Henry George Grey 13 was posted Games.8 Desmarteau was sent to the Games as a repre- to Canada in 1904 as Governor-General, Colonel John sentative of the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association. Hanbury-Williams arrived in the Dominion to take up The burly, moustachioed Desmarteau was the only non- duties as Lord Grey’s Military Secretary. Almost parallel American gold medal winner in track and field events, with Hanbury-Williams’ arrival in Canada was the winning the 56 pound weight throw and entering formulation of the British Olympic Association (BOA) history’s pantheon of official Olympic champions. which constituted the National Olympic Commit- And finally, William Sherring, a distance runner from tee for Great Britain. Headquartered in London, the city Hamilton, Ontario journeyed to Athens to take part in which ultimately agreed to organize the Games of the Games hosted by the Greeks in 1906, games that despite Fourth Olympiad scheduled for 1908 14, the BOA formed moves by some parties to have them declared part of the an executive body called the British Olympic Council official cycle, in the eyes of the IOC, to this day remain (BOC). In the late summer of 1907, scarcely a year before unsanctioned as “official Olympic Games”. They are the London Games were set to open in a stadium then often referred to as “Intercalated “ or “Interim Games”. under construction at Shepherd’s Bush in West London, Sherring won the marathon event. The presence of Lord Grey received a request from the BOC to organize a Canadian team in IOC-recognized Olympic Games, a Canadian Olympic team’s participation in the 1908

JOH 3 | 2012 Tsar Nicholas II’s Comrade in Arms: IOC Member John Hanbury-Williams 57 John Hanbury- issued to officials from each faction, inviting them to a Williams in October joint meeting at Parliament House in Ottawa.19 At noon 1914 in Russia, to on Saturday, 30 November 1907, in the elegant and pres- the right the tigious surroundings of Ottawa’s Rideau Club, a group New York Times of sixteen representatives, eight each from the Cana- reporter Stanley dian Amateur Athletic Union and the Amateur Athletic Washburn. Federation of Canada, were hosted to a “pleasant luncheon” by Hanbury-Williams and P. D. Ross.20 That the luncheon was a critical prelude towards promotion of a spirit of good will and establishing a favorable climate for solving a difficult problem, is underscored by the Evening Journal’s account of the affair: “… the delegates from the two fighting governing bodies mingled together, ap- parently the best of friends, and it is believed that that little differences that existed between the two bodies have been swept away by this friendly intercourse and that in the future a broader view will be taken by both sides on any question that may arise. The luncheon proved a pleasant affair, and the delegates walked over to the East Block for the conference in a body.”21 Shortly after 2:00 in the afternoon, following the luncheon, the Games. Governor-General Grey recommended to the delegates convened in the Parliament Building’s East BOC that Olympic matters in Canada be placed in the Block precinct of the Governor-General. Therein followed hands of his Military Secretary, Colonel John Hanbury- one of the most important meetings in the history of Williams. The BOC accepted Governor-General Grey’s Canadian sport.22 An opening statement by Hanbury- recommendation, and so a man neither particularly Williams set the tone for the meeting: gifted in athleticism, nor much interested in a stumbling “Gentlemen – We are met here today to have, I hope, phenomenon called “the Modern Olympic Games”, an amiable discussion. Let us avoid, if possible, the became, in effect, the responsible guardian for the wrangles and tangles of the past and look upon this Dominion of Canada’s emergence onto the world stage matter from a broad point of view. This is a big country of amateur athletics. and we have to have big minds and big views to settle Where to start? There was no Canadian Olympic difficult points. We want, if we can, to leave the past – Committee, no models for team selection, in effect, to leave what affects individual cases and look to the hardly anything of solid substance. Hanbury-Williams future. Pray do not believe that I am a comfortable and first turned to Philip Dansken (P.D.) Ross, owner/ easy optimist about the future. We are now only on the publisher of the Ottawa Evening Journal and one of two fringe of an undertaking which if successful may be of original Stanley Cup trustees.15 Months later, Hanbury- great value to the boyhood and manhood of Canada. Williams settled on the Reverend D. Bruce Macdonald,a The task we have is a very difficult one – I recognize St. Andrew’s College faculty member at the University of that. Plenty of people tell me so, but it is no use being Toronto and former President of that University’s Athletic afraid of it or being discouraged. I recognize that we Association, as the third representative of what might be may be up against many more difficulties, even if we termed the Executive Board of the first Canadian Olympic are successful today. I am aware too that there are oth Committee.16 Beyond P. D. Ross, it was to two neophyte er bodies whose representatives will have to be called amateur sport governing bodies in Canada, the Canadian to our councils. We must not let the public think that Amateur Athletic Union (CAAU), Toronto-dominated, and we here are the only people who propose to run this the Amateur Athletic Federation of Canada, Montreal and business. There are other societies to be considered, but Ottawa-dominated, that Hanbury-Williams turned for we have to do one bit of work at a time, and you gent help in mustering a Canadian team for the 1908 Olympic lemen assembled here now are the representatives of Games. A festering sore point existed between the two two great conflicting elements in the world of sport in bodies; they were at odds with each other over the Canada. Mr. Ross and I both feel that if we can come to meaning and implementation of the word “amateur”.17 some understanding today, even if it be the temporary This “amateur distinction” cleavage, above all, had hoisting of a flag of truce, we shall have done some to be overcome. Hanbury-Williams pressed ahead. thing and it is time that something was done. Of course First, he conferred with AAFC officials18, then delegated we shall be better pleased if the flag is run up to the top Ross to do the same with CAAU leaders. Invitations were and left there – only to be replaced by one which bears

58 the emblem of one united body – one, if I may use an eccentric expression, great sporting Maple Leaf.” 23

The chronicle of Canadian Olympic events that un- folded following that November afternoon in 1907: (1) the establishment of trials for Olympic Team selections for the 1908 Games, (2) the mounting of the necessary finances to support the endeavor, (3) the logistical arrangements necessary, (4) the actual Olympic Team selections, (5) the unfolding of “Canada at the 1908 Olympics” in the sports of tennis, shooting, track and field, rowing, lacrosse, wrestling, fencing, cycling, swimming/diving, and gymnastics, must be left for another time. Nevertheless, Hanbury-Williams played a critical role for all matters, great and small. He was truly the Czar of Olympic matters in their infancy in Canada. He took his Lord Grey-delegated responsibilities most seriously. Central to this essay, however, is the continued “Olympic career” of Hanbury-Williams after Olympic Movement’s origin. The dates chosen were The World War I the 1908 Olympic proceedings. In 1910, stung by the 15-23 June 1914. These dates turned out to be fortuitous; Allied Commission to words of American sports journalist Casper Whitney, much of the world went to war on August 1st, some five the Russian Imperial who derided the Olympic Games as those led by a well- weeks later. In late December 1913 Coubertin informed Armies: Hanbury- meaning but “fussy and incompetent little French- IOC Members of his final Congress plans, having aired Williams is seated far man”, and an IOC that “has members from Mexico, them preliminarily at the annual IOC Session convened right, Tsar Nicholas Peru, Russia and Turkey (Good Lord, think of it) and in Lausanne in early April of 1913. Upon receiving and seated second from yet ignores Canada entirely”. In 1910 the AAUC nomi- noting all the Baron said in his “letter of 27 th”, Sir John left. nated John Hanbury-Williams for membership on the wished Coubertin well and extended the hope that “we International Olympic Committee.24 shall have a very successful meeting in Paris”. 30 At the annual IOC Session held in Budapest at the Shortly before the historic 20th Anniversary Congress Hungarian Academy of Science in May 1911, President was scheduled to unfold in Paris, Sir John wrote to Pierre de Coubertin acted on the Canadian nomina- Coubertin to inform the Baron of his mailing address tion, putting Sir Hanbury-Williams’ name forward for in London and to instruct him that his name in the IOC IOC membership. It was approved without dissent.25 information brochures produced henceforth should list In a letter written a week later, Coubertin conveyed the him as “Major-General Sir John Hanbury Williams”, a news to Hanbury-Wllliams.26 Responding in French to reflection of his recent military promotion and knight- “Monsieur le Baron de Coubertin”, Hanbury-Williams hood.31 Hanbury-Williams, as the IOC Session Minutes accepted the invitation with enthusiasm, offering the record, was present in Paris for the Congress, indeed, at- hope that he might be present in Stockholm for the tending his first IOC function. In the formal photograph 1912 Games.27 The following month he sent “Monsieur taken of the assembly of delegates, which included cher Collegue” his first IOC dues payment, a total of 25 IOC Members, officials from National Olympic French Francs.28 Indeed, the first two letters of Hanbury- Committees, representatives of nine of the then ten ex- Williams’ correspondence to Coubertin, the only ones in isting International Sports Federations, honored guests, French written to the Baron, were sent from England.29 and dignitaries, Sir John is seen standing in the second Hanbury-Williams no longer resided in Canada, having row, just behind the right shoulder of the front row’s been recalled to England in 1909, promoted to Brigadier- central figure, the Baron Pierre de Coubertin. There is General, and posted to Scotland as Administrator- no evidence to support an impression that he played Scotland Command. His almost five year tenure in a leading, or even a secondary role in the proceed- Canada between 1905 and 1909 marked his lone sojourn ings. Late in 1914 Hanbury-Williams’ mailing address to the New World. Despite residence away from Canada, changed yet again. His correspondence to Coubertin he remained the IOC Member in Canada for 10 years. now came from the General Headquarters of the Russian In 1913, as war approached in Europe, Coubertin laid Army, mailed to the Baron through the British Embassy plans to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the establish- in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg). In February 1915 Sir ment of the International Olympic Committee. He would John wrote to Coubertin to inform him of his posting mark the celebration by staging a gala Olympic Congress to Russia and to relate his circumstances: “I came over at the Sorbonne in Paris, the historic seat of the Modern at the outbreak of the war to represent the British Army

JOH 3 | 2012 Tsar Nicholas II’s Comrade in Arms: IOC Member John Hanbury-Williams 59 a prospect. Finally, in early November, Sir John replied. “... you suggest I should take the place of Mr. Cook on the International Olympic Committee of the Olympic Games”, he wrote. “I have however, been in consulta- tion with my Canadian friends [and] decided to remain as the representative of Canada.”35 There was more to Sir John’s letter than simply refusing the Baron’s sug- gestion. Wrote Hanbury-Williams: “I gravely doubt if for many years I will be able to do much. And in any case if any German names are allowed to remain I shall have to consider my withdrawal altogether. The Germans have proved themselves, to put it very mildly, neither gentlemen nor sportsmen and I will prefer my name not to be associated with the representatives of such a country if they are to be considered as our associates.”36 Obviously, Sir John shared Theodore Cook’s feelings on Mohileff 1916: at the Russian headquarters. I am attached to the staff Germans and Germany. Hanbury-Williams of the Grand Duke Nicholas, the Commander in Chief. Hearing from the Baron in mid-July 1916, Sir John, with Tsar Nicholas’ I live in a railway train and fly about the country in still in Russia, immediately responded. “I am glad to young son, the it, but every now and then one gets away and sees a hear of your news, and that all goes well with you … Tsarevitch, in a bit of the fighting with the head generals of different I have been here 2 years next month, and may get a few relaxed moment divisions.”32 days leave ere long in which case I may perhaps come with staff members As the Great War raged in the summer of 1915, the over to your side and try to see you. Am very busy here, and officials of the Baron de Coubertin approached Sir John on a deli- and all going well.”37 As is well known, it was not too Allied Commission cate issue. One of the problematic dilemmas facing long after Sir John’s July 1916 letter that the fortunes to Russia. Coubertin during World War I was a growing animos- of Russia’s military effort in World War I, indeed, its ity held by IOC Members engaged in the fighting on domestic stability, deteriorated rapidly. Following the side of the Allies against their IOC brethren in the Russia’s complete withdrawal from the War and its sub- military service of the Central Powers. A disposition of sequent engulfment by violent revolution, Hanbury- rising hatred ensued, especially as the toll of war dead Williams returned to England, where he was reassigned and wounded mounted astronomically. And, especially to military duties in The Hague (August 1917–March 1918) was this hatred registered by the British, whose troops and Bern (April–December 1918). He retired from active bore the brunt of the war’s earliest casualty lists. One of military life in 1919. In early April 1919 the IOC held its first the most outspoken Britons on the subject of distaste post war Session. It was held in Lausanne, the Swiss city for Germans and Germany in future Olympic matters, to which Coubertin had moved the IOC Headquarters was Theodore Andrea Cook (later Sir Theodore), who had in 1915. At the opening ceremonies conducted in the been co-opted to the IOC in 1909 replacing Sir Charles Hotel Beau Séjour, a scant audience was in attendance; Howard Vincent.33 Cook, bombastic, opinionated, and only nine IOC Members were present. Five of the nine steadfast on who had perpetrated the war and who Members came from the victorious powers; Hanbury- bore the prime responsibility for the death and destruc- Williams was one of those individuals.38 IOC Members tion that followed, was adamant that Germany not be from the defeated Central Power nations had either part of post-War Olympic matters, and if they were, he been killed, had resigned, or had been liquidated “de would be forced to renounce his membership status. He facto” from the organization.39 stated this ultimatum to Coubertin in a letter. Getting The following year, 1920, Sir John attended his third no sympathy from the Baron, Theodore Cook promptly (and last) IOC Session, held in Antwerp in the late resigned. Coubertin needed a British replacement on summer directly following the celebration of the Games his Olympic Committee. It was then that he investigated of the VIIth Olympiad. He tended his resignation the the prospect of transferring Hanbury-Williams’ repre- following year, 1921. And so ended the Olympic career sentation from Sir John’s surrogate country, Canada, of Canada’s first IOC Member. A man of rank, position, to Great Britain, his country of birth and citizenship. lofty family status, and wealth, he was succeeded by Directly following Cook’s resignation, the Baron wrote James Merrick, a Canadian with none of Sir John’s lofty to Hanbury-Williams asking him to replace Cook as the credentials. On the other hand, Merrick was well versed British representative to the IOC.34 Hanbury-Williams in sporting matters, having been an original member delayed answering, in part, if we are to believe Sir John, of the Canadian Olympic Committee (General) and an in order to check with Canadian Olympic folks on such active amateur sport functionary in the Toronto area.40

60 Reflections 3 Much of the biographical material presented here was gleaned from testimonial obits on the occasion of Sir Hanbury-Williams’ death. See, for instance, “Obituary – Major-Gen. Sir John Hanbury- In the final analysis, was Sir John Hanbury-Williams a Williams: Soldier and Diplomat”, The Times, 21 October 1946; and sports-minded individual? What were his contribu- “Hanbury-Williams, Noted Military Man”, New York Times, 21 Octo ber 1946. See also, Hanbury-Willliams Collection, University Col- tions to the IOC? And finally, with what regard might lege-London Archives, http://archives.ucl.ac.uk/DServe/dserve.exe he be considered in the greater scheme of Canadian ?dsqIni&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCm. Accessed 22 March 2012. Olympic history? With regard to athleticism, the sport- 4 The subject of Russia and Russian history was not unfamiliar to the Hanbury-Williams family. A distant forebear was Sir Charles ing activities listed by the IOC in its one page biogra Hanbury-Williams (1708-1759), Member of British Parliament for phical brief on Sir John 41, depict him as an advocate of Monmouthshire from 1734 to 1747, and for Leominster from 1754 to 1759. He was British Ambassador to Poland from 1754 to 1759, hunting and shooting, and an enthusiastic horseback and is generally credited with having introduced the future King rider. Of course, each of those activities went hand-in- of Poland, Stanislaw Poniatowski, to the Grand Duchess Catherine hand with military expertise; in each he had long and Alexeyevna, the future Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia. From the moment of introduction, the story of one of history’s greatest sustained experience. There is little on which to base a romances among nobility commenced. judgment of Sir John with regard to IOC matters. We do 5 Sir John Hanbury-Williams, The Emperor Nicholas II: As I Knew Him not know the tone of Coubertin’s letters to Hanbury- (New York: E. P. Dutton & Company, 1923). The book’s material is based almost exclusively on Hanbury-Williams’ diary entries made Williams, but from Sir John’s responses there appears at the time of his service in Russia and on his reminiscence obser- to have been genuine mutual respect and a comradely vations. 6 Created by King James I (1603-1628), the First Marshal of the relationship shared between them. It is certain that Diplomatic Corps was a court appointment, one that really con- Hanbury-Williams fitted well with his IOC colleagues. He noted “Master of Ceremonies” responsible for observance of court spoke French fluently, the language in which much of etiquette, reception of foreign potentates and ambassadors, and assisting Lord Chamberlain in all court entertainments. the early IOC dialogue and business was conducted. He 7 Bruce Kidd relates that Canadian brothers Alex and Dick Grant of moved well in the social atmosphere that surrounded St.Marys, Ontario also competed in Paris, but represented the United States. In 1900 Alex was a student in Philadelphia, Dick, a student in the IOC. For much of Hanbury-Williams’ IOC tenure, Boston. See Bruce Kidd, “The First COA Presidents”, Olympika: the the organization was practically defunct due to the International Journal of Olympic Studies, Vol. III, 1994, p. 107. infringement of World War I. Even so, there is little to 8 The record of the 1904 St. Louis Olympic Games remain in problematic context. They were celebrated as part of the Physical Culture suggest that he was “a player”, or important contri Exhibit of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Among scores of ath- buting member. letic exhibitions and competitions in various sports and at various levels of expertise, carried out over a six month period, and each With regard to Canada, however, it was a different labeled by Fair Administrators as “Olympic”, only those events matter. During his brief sojourn in Canada he made experienced in the Games prior to 1904 were counted as “official” significant, indeed critical contributions to embryo in the formal record that has been passed forward to this day. 9 In 1906 the Greeks organized an Olympic festival they referred to Olympic affairs. His success in forming what can be held as the “Intercalary Games”, an athletic meeting patterned after as the first Canadian Olympic Committee, originally a their successful 1896 Games. The “Intercalary” Greek initiative was committee of three (COC-Central), very rapidly enlarged originally designed as an “interim Olympic festival” to take place permanently in Greece in the even-numbered years between each to include multiple members (COC-General), charged IOC Olympic Games. For economic and domestic political reasons, with forming a Canadian team to the 1908 Olympics the first edition of the plan was not executed until 1906. That festival was wildly successful. Canadian marathon runner, Billy Sherring in London, cannot be dismissed lightly. In effect, the of Hamilton, Ontario, competed in the 1906 marathon run, winning Committee presided over the organization of a robust the gold medal and laurel wreath. As well, Ed Archibald, a Uni- complement of 87 athletes representing nine sport- versity of Toronto graduate, tied for third place in the pole vault. But, the 1906 event was the last of such intercalary initiatives. Once ing disciplines. There never lingered any doubt about again, economics and the encroachment of geo-political affairs who the leader was of this historic Canadian saga, a saga negated the plan’s continuance. 10 See J. H. Crocker, “Report of the First Canadian Olympic Athletic that commenced an evolutionary process that, for over Team – 1908”, Crocker Collection, D. B. Weldon Library, University of a century, has made Canadians proud and productive Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, p. 3. members of the Modern Olympic Movement. 11 Longboat, like numerous others in the 1908 Olympic marathon race (half the field of 55 starters failed to finish), succumbed to the ter- ribly adverse atmospheric conditions of the day, a temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit and a commensurately high humidity index, th 1 For a good description of Hanbury’s funeral service, see “Funeral: conditions that left him exhausted and semi-conscious in the 20 Major-General Sir John Hanbury-Williams”, The Times, 24 October mile. At 17 miles Longboat stood In second place. 1946. 12 The 1908 Canadian Olympic “Stadium Team”, mustered by Hanbury-Williams and his Committee, numbered 35 athletes: 25 2 Hanbury-Williams’ son, John Coldbrook Hanbury-Williams, a not- track and field men, 5 cyclists, 2 gymnasts, 1 wrestler, 1 fencer, ed industrialist and businessman with special interest and suc- and 1 swimmer. Canadian “Stadium Team” athletes returned cess in the development of rayon and artificial silk, married the home with 1 gold medal (200 metres – track and field), 1 silver Princess Zenaida Cantacuzene, daughter of Russian Prince Michael (hop-step-and jump – track and field), and six bronze medals (100 and Princess Julia and great-granddaughter of the storied Ameri- metres – track and field, running long jump – track and field, pole can Civil War general and subsequent President of the United vault – track and field, hammer throw – track and field, bantam States, Ulysses S. Grant. For more on Sir John Coldbrook Hanbury- weight wrestling, and 62 mile team race – cycling). See Report of Williiams, see N. H. Hudson, “Williams, Sir John Coldbrook Hanbury the First Canadian Olympic Athletic Team, 1908, University Archives (1892-1965)”, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford: and Special Collections, D.B. Weldon Library, University of Western Oxford University Press, 2004). Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.

JOH 3 | 2012 Tsar Nicholas II’s Comrade in Arms: IOC Member John Hanbury-Williams 61 13 The name Lord Grey is, of course, synonymous with the Grey Cup, (Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company Publishers, 2000), the storied trophy emblematic of Canadian professional football p. 10. Obviously, the target of Whitney’s scorn was the French Baron supremacy, that is, the annual champion of the Canadian Football Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the Modern Olympic Movement. League. The Grey Cup was originally awarded in 1909 to the ama- 25 See “Minutes of the XIIIth IOC Session”, May 23-24, 1911, Budapest, teur rugby football champion of the Dominion. Queen’s University Hungary, translated and annotated by Wolf Lyberg, The IOC in Kingston, Ontario was its first recipient. Sessions: 1894-1955 (Lausanne, International Olympic Committee, 14 The 1908 Olympic Games were originally awarded to Rome, but the undated), p. 62. eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1906 and the economic devastation 26 Coubertin’s letter to Hanbury-Williams has not survived, but in that was incurred as a result, in part, prompted Rome to aban- his response Sir John noted having received the Baron’s “Amiable don the organization of the Games. The IOC then invited London to lettre du 3 Juin”. See Hanbury-Williams to Pierre de Coubertin, accept hosting responsibilities. 9 June 1911, Hanbury-Williams/Coubertin Correspondence File 15 P. D. Ross was one of the founders of, and often times a player for, (hereafter H-W/C File), IOC Archives (hereafter IOCA), Olympic the Ottawa Hockey Club, the lineage extension of which is today’s Museum, Lausanne, Switzerland. National Hockey League (NHL) team, the Ottawa Senators. It was 27 Ibid. Ross’ association with ice hockey matters in Ottawa during the early 28 Hanbury-Williams to Coubertin, 12 July 1911. H-W/C File, IOCA. 1890s that led Lord Stanley to appoint him as one of two trustees of 29 Sir John was fluent in French. In total, a corpus of thirteen letters the historic Stanley Cup trophy, the “holy grail” of modern profes- from Hanbury-Williams to Coubertin have survived, at least in the sional hockey. Ross served in this capacity for over a half century, IOC Archives in Lausanne. in fact, until his death in 1949. See Philip Dansken Ross, Wikipedia 30 Hanbury-Williams to Coubertin, 31 December 1913. H-W/C File, IOCA. Free Encyclopedia (http:Wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Dansken_Ross). Sir John opened his letter to the Baron by offering the hope, “A very Accessed 2 January 2012. happy New Year to you!” 16 The “Executive Board” triumvirate of Hanbury-Williiams, P. D. Ross, 31 Hanbury-Williams to Coubertin, 7 May 1914, H-W/C File, IOCA. and D. Bruce Macdonald, were directly responsible to the British Among IOC Members, strong egos and sensitivity to “place in Olympic Council. They, in fact they alone, formed what official cor- society” were not uncommon traits, Coubertin included. We might respondence and the Press referred to as the Canadian Olympic note the penchant Juan Antonio Samaranch (IOC President 1980- Committee-Central. The much larger National Olympic Commit- 2002) had for being addressed as “Your Excellency”. We might tee was referred to as the Canadian Olympic Committee-General. note, also, that the current IOC President, Jacques Rogge, has taken Historians have heretofore failed to recognize this distinction. to being addressed as “Count Rogge”. 17 Basically, the CAAU embraced a highly conservative interpreta- 32 Hanbury-Williams to Coubertin, 1 February 1915, H-W/C File, IOCA. tion of “amateur,” that being that any athlete who competed in At the outset of the war the Grand Duke Nicholas commanded all a sporting contest in which professionals took part was declared Russian Forces. On 6 September 1915 the Grand Duke took com- professional and thus ineligible for amateur competition, which, mand of the Caucasus as Governor-General and Commander in of course, included the Olympic Games. The AAFC, on the other Chief of Russian’s southern forces in confrontation with the Turks, hand, applied a more liberal interpretation; one did not lose a German ally. It was then that Tsar Nicholas became Commander one’s amateur standing for simply competing in a contest in which in Chief of Forces on Russian’s western front against the Germans. professionals appeared. Hanbury-Williams was a first-hand observer of the transfer of 18 Hanbury-Williams made arrangements for meeting with AAFC Command, describing it in poignant fashion in his diary entry of officials through William Foran, an AAFC member and longtime 6 September 1915. See Hanbury-Williams, The Emperor Nicholas II, lacrosse enthusiast residing in Ottawa. Foran eventually served op. cit., pp. 49-50. as chief organizer of the Canadian lacrosse contingent that was 33 Vincent died in 1907. selected to participate in London’s Olympic Games. See “More 34 Coubertin’s letter to Hanbury-Wlliams on this point has not sur- Olympic Meetings”, Montreal Daily Star, 13 November 1907. vived, but in his 2 November 1915 response, Sir John noted: “I am 19 See “Everything Ready for Athletic Conference”, Ottawa Evening much obliged for your kind letter of some time back.” Hanbury- Journal, 30 November 1907. Though Ross was optimistic, there were Williams to Coubertin, 2 November 1915, H-W/C File, IOCA. forebodings. The Evening Journal announcement concluded in an 35 Ibid. Brackets mine. ominous tone: “The conference is expected to be quite a lengthy 36 Ibid. Hanbury-Williams’ hard stance, however, is in opposition to his one, as it is evident that both sides are prepared to put up a stiff feelings on hearing from the Baron earlier that same year that Ger- fight over the amateur rule as laid down by the respective organi- man IOC Member Baron Karl von Venningen-Ullner had been killed zations.” in the war. “I am very sorry to hear of poor Baron de Venningen’s 20 Present also at the luncheon and the meetings following was death”, wrote Sir John to Coubertin in early February 1915. Hanbury- F.L.C. Pereira, an assistant to Hanbury-Williams in the Governor- Williams to Coubertin, 1 February 1915, H-W/C File, IOCA. At the time of General’s office. He was assigned the duties of “Honorary Sir John’s letter, German IOC Member Count Adolf von Arnim-Muskau Secretary” of the meetings. was at the front with his regiment. He survived the war, but resigned 21 See Ottawa Evening Journal, 2 December 1907. from the IOC in 1919, as did his remaining German IOC colleague, 22 Among those present were individuals who would shortly join Count Adalbert von Sierstorpff. Germany was without an IOC Member Hanbury-Williams and P. D. Ross as members of Canada’s first between 1919 and 1925, and, in fact, barred from participating in the Olympic Committee. The eight representatives delegated by the Games of 1920 and 1924. With the cooption to the IOC of Theodor AAFC were: William Foran, Leslie Boyd, Thomas O’Connell, Joseph Lewald and Oscar Ruperti in 1925, Germany returned to the Modern Mercier, H. B. McGiverin, G.H. Brown, Frederick Colson, and C. A. Olympic Movement, participating in the Olympic Games of 1928, their Spriggins. CAAU representatives were: William Stark, Frank Grierson, first participation since 1912. F. Nelson, J. G. Merrick, C.C. Holland, D. B. Macdonald, W. M. Ed- 37 Hanbury-Williams to Coubertin, 30 July 1916, H-W/C File, IOCA. wards, and W. H. Crowe. In the months to follow, the names Foran, 38 These would have been IOC Members from Britain, France, Canada, Crowe, Merrick, Boyd, Stark, and Macdonald would stand out in Australia, and the United States. Canadian Olympic Committee affairs. 39 The absentees would have been IOC Members from Germany, 23 Cited in “Truce Declared Between Federation And C.A.A.U.”, Ottawa Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Evening Journal, 2 December 1907. See also, ”Permanent Ath- 40 For an enlightening account of the “Olympic career” of James letic Peace May Result From The Conference”, Montreal Daily Star, Merrick, see Garth A. Paton, “James G. B. Merrick (1871-1946): Sports 2 December 1907. Hanbury-Williams’ eloquent expression, “great Organizer, Negotiator, Canada’s Second IOC Member”, in Cultural sporting Maple Leaf”, is the first in a series of ensuing expressions Imperialism in Action: Critiques in the Global Olympic Trust, Nigel B. that linked the Maple Leaf to Canadian Olympic matters as a symbol Crowther, Robert K. Barney, Michael K. Heine, eds. (London, Ontario: of national identity and solidarity. The International Centre for Olympic Studies, 2006), pp. 254-277. 24 For Whitney’s assertion, see Gasper Whitney to Lord Desborough, 31 41 See Olympic Biographies: 1894-1986 (Lausanne, International July 1908, Desborough Files, Hertford County Record Office, England. Olympic Committee, 1986) p. 76. In their biographical data on As cited by Bill Mallon and Ian Buchanan, The 1908 Olympic Hanbury-Williams, he is listed as a Canadian citizen, which, of Games: Results for All Competitors in All Events, with Commentary course, is incorrect.