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The Club HistoryA Brief History of Edinburgh University Fencing Club
Chapter 1 - The early yearsFencing at Edinburgh University can be dated back as far as 1779 when the University had the services of M. Giovanni Xaverio Tremamondo, a fencing instructor born in Florence. However, it was not until 1866 that there was any evidence of a gym being set aside for fencing at the university. In 1902 the university claimed the Scottish Champion, Dixon, the winner of the University Competition. Chapter 2 - Colonel R.B. Campbell
Chapter 3 - The First Committee MeetingThe First Committee meeting for which official minutes were taken was held on the 16th October 1930. No less than 34 students attended the first meeting and the following were appointed:
Chapter 4 - The 1930sDuring 1931-32, the fencing team competed in a match against Alantic Fleet team, which included the Service Champion. The university, which was only fencing foil and sabre at the time, won the foil but lost the sabre. In the club competitions E.S.M. Douglas won the foil handicap and J.R. Pinna, the captain of Sabre, won his specialist weapon. By the end of 1932, a new Salle in Minto House was opened. In 1934 the fencing club affliated to the Athletic Club, and D. Hope Gill and J.Kirkpatrick and Colonel Campbell were appointed honorary instructors Professor Léon Crosnier, who had promoted fencing in Scotland, was added to the coaching staff. Épée was introduced to the club around this time, but was confined to the senior members of the club. Matches including one against Scottish Fencing Club, Scotland's premier club, took place. Chapter 5 - First Blue, Club Crest & First Internationalist
Chapter 6 - The War Years EUFC 1940-41 Due to the outbreak of war, Léon Crosnier returned to France. Colonel Campbell remained and took over the position of Maître d'Armes. In 1939-40 the club moved to the combat salle which would be the club's home until it moved to St Leonard's Land. The club arranged matches, one being against the Czech Army. The final result of that match was 0-16 in foil and 7-9 in sabre to the Czechs. Chapter 7 -The Croughly CupThe Croughly cup was presented for competition between St Andrews and Edinburgh in 1942. There is no inscription on the trophy and there was no information as to who donated the cup. The results of the bouts are listed below:
Chapter 8 - 1945-46 Season until 1956The 1945-46 Season was the most successful season for the club. Out of the 6 matches fenced, 5 were won and 1 lost (to Manchester). Peter Moffat was considered to be the best foilist in British Universities. Edinburgh came second to London in the British Universities Championship. In September 1946, Colonel Campbell retired from the University. This was with great regret for the whole club. Major Mather returned to the club after the war ended, and he took a novice class. This class still runs albeit in the form of a beginners' class on a Wednesday afternoon and has provided the University with many fine fencers Colonel T.P. Saunders, an Internationalist and future EUFC Captain, shook the club's routes in the 1948-49 season when he enrolled at the University to study Social Science. Having taken up study at Edinburgh he became eligible to fence for the University Club, and his value as a sabreur was inestimable. The standard of sabre fencing improved dramatically. Major W.Segda, who had represented Poland with the sabre at the Olympic Games also arrived. He took over as Maître d'Armes at the club. Chapter 9 - 1956EUFC would be the leading club in Scotland until 1956. In 1952, D. Mends and J.D.A. Henshaw represented Scotland. In the same season the club had an outstanding victory over Durham University, who had beaten all the Universities in Northern England. The club photograph for that year shows Colonel Campbell in his rightful place as Honorary President. The team travelled to Leamington Spa to fence Salle Paul. The University épée team, beat Salle Paul who had two English Internationals in their team. Later that year, after defeat by Birmingham, Edinburgh's team was chosen to represent Scottish Universities against the Rest of Scotland. Major Charles Mather retired in 1955. Major Segda who had become a Professor had to retire during the 1956-57 season due to ill health and the results of the club were of course affected. It didn't help that it was their final year for many of the older fencers. The season however could be seen as a success. Meikle A.G. Watson and Coulson had the honour of representing Scotland. There was much individual success and this compensated for the loss of the Inter-Universities Championship. Watson went on to win the Ford Cup at the Scottish Fencing Club and was selected to represent Scotland at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games. In 1960, the Maître d'Armes was taken over by an Australian by the name of Feathers. The standard at the club was on the rise. Although team results were a little disappointing, the team was being re-built from the foundations. Chapter 10 - Colonel R. A. Hay
The Club's Honorary Presidents & Vice-PresidentsColonel R.B. Campbell Professor F.A.E. Crew His Grace the Duke of Hamilton (better known as the 'Boxing Marquess') Professor Léon Crosnier Professor A.M. Drennan Admiral the Hon. Sir W.G. Leveson Gower Sheriff J.G. Jameson Dr. W.R. Mathewson Colonel Bruce Turnbull Colonel R.A. Hay Professor H.T. Bracewell Mr A. McMillen Mr R. Carter Mr E. Manning Mr M. Donnery
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