Duncan Mackinnon was born on 29 September 1887 and went on to enjoy huge success as a competitive rower.

Duncan was educated at Rugby School but it was on attending university at Magdalen College, Oxford, that his rowing skills truly developed. 

As part of the Magdalen Four, a rowing squad that remained together for all of Duncan’s time at Oxford, Duncan won all major events entered.

In 1907, the squad was entered as the Magdalen “second four” at the prestigious Henley Regatta but claimed victory in the Visitors’ and Stewards Challenge Cups. In 1908, Duncan and his team returned to successfully defend their Visitors’ Cup title.

Such was the Magdalen crew’s success that they were selected to represent Great Britain at the 1908 London Olympic Games.

Alongside Collier Cudmore, John Somers-Smith and James Angus Gillan, Duncan competed in the coxless fours, emerging triumphant with a Gold Medal.

Returning to Oxford as an Olympic Gold medallist, Duncan was finally awarded his Oxford Blue. He competed in the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race in 1909, 1910, and 1911, winning each time. Duncan was also later appointed president of the Oxford University Boat Club.

Adding to his list of formidable rowing achievements, Dunanc competed with the Magdalen eight in the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley for the years 1909-1911. In his entire Henley career, Duncan only lost two events.

Duncan became a partner in the family business in Calcutta, India after leaving university. While in India, Duncan also served with he Calcutta Light Horse.

He returned to England on the outbreak of the First World War and had an eventful wartime, serving in the ill-fated Gallipoli Campaign before transferring the Scots Guards.

With the Scots Guards, Duncan saw action in France and Belgium. He was killed in action on 9 October 1917 as part of the Battle of Passchendaele, just outside Langemarck. 

Duncan’s remains were never recovered. As such, he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Tragically, Duncan’s older brother, William, had been killed on duty five months earlier while serving with the London Scottish.