Tom Chessell

[3] At the outbreak of World War II, Chessell joined the RAAF as a carpenter/rigger serving in the Middle East for two and a half years and was mentioned in dispatches.

[5] Chessell's first state selection for New South Wales came at aged 36 in 1950 in the men's senior eight contesting the King's Cup at the annual Australian Interstate Regatta.

However the selector Joe Gould stuck with the selected crew since a number of them including stroke Phil Cayzer, had severe adverse reactions to the vaccinations they'd taken for overseas travel.

It was also mentioned that their fundraising responsibilities, some 7,000 pounds, impacted their preparation – the Australian Olympic Federation had only been able to fund four air tickets for the eight.

Having retired to Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Chessell died on Chevron Island, survived by his wife and two sons, Ian and Bruce.