Making Mischief Oral History Project, 'Doggett's Coat and the Badge' full

London College of Fashion

Bob Crouch won the Doggett’s Coat and Badge Race in 1958, the year he completed his apprenticeship as a waterman on the River Thames. It’s the oldest rowing race in the world and has been continuously run for more than 200 years. Bob competed against 4 other apprentices and won against the odds. The prize is the right to wear the red coat and badge. Bob explains how he felt when he won the race, what the coat is like to wear and the pride he feels in upholding the Doggett's tradition. He has written a book on the subject called 'The Coat of Mr Doggett'.