John Robert Somers-Smith was an English rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.
Background
Somers-Smith was born at Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, the son of Robert Vernon Somers-Smith and his wife Gertrude. His father ran for Oxford against Cambridge in 1868 and 1869 and was twice the American Automobile Association half-mile champion.
Education
Somers-Smith was educated at Eton College, where he was "Captain of the Boats", and Magdalen College, Oxford University, where he rowed for his College.
Career
He was killed in action during the First World War., and was selected to represent Great Britain in rowing at the 1908 Summer Olympics, Somers-Smith was stroke of the four along with Collier Cudmore, Angus Gillan and Duncan Mackinnon. He subsequently became a lawyer by profession.
He fell in action at the opening of the Battle of the Somme offensive on 1 July 1916 during the assault by the 56th (London) Division at Gommecourt.
His body was not recovered from the field and his name is engraved on the gateway for the missing of the Somme at Thiepval.
Membership
Somers-Smith had been elected a member of Leander Club in 1906, after winning the Ladies" Challenge Plate with Eton College but at no time did he ever represent Leander on the water.