1914 saw a British foursome become the first team outside of America to take part in the Penn Relays in Philadelphia. The members of the 4xmile relay team were A N Jackson, G M Sproule, N S Taber and D N Gaussen OB Bees 1912. Competing against leading American Universities, the British team won the 4xmile relay event by a foot! Gold pocket watches were awarded to each member of the winning team. David Newbold Gaussen had been elected President OUAC, shortly before sailing to America.
He was commissioned in the Bedfordshire Regiment in August 1914 and killed in action on 31st July, 1916.
The watch was donated to the School by his twin brother John McCulloch Gaussen, OB Bees 1912. John Gaussen joined the staff of Berkhamsted school in 1940, as a Master in the Junior school.
In April 2014, the OUAC 4xmile relay team of 1914 were inducted into the Penn Relays Wall of Fame. The watch was loaned to two representatives from the OUAC (known to our Principal, from whom the original loan request came) and taken to America as part of the celebrations, featuring in the events programme.
D N Gaussen is pictured fourth from left in the back row. His twin brother, J M Gaussen, is pictured next to him, fifth from left.