Local Ocean It’s History This Kelly family photo was taken on August 9, 1947 on the 26th Street beach. John B. Kelly is in the bow of the lifeboat, Jack Jr. in the stern; behind the boat, from left, Peggy, Grace, mother Margaret, and Lizanne. This picture was included in the July 28, 1947 Life Magazine article. The caption read: “The prize is a golden goblet, which Kelly may keep. Diamond Sculls trophy is his left hand must be returned to Henley to be raced for again next year.”
Jack Kelly’s 1947 Summer BY FRED MILLER
T This picture of Jack Kelly Jr. rowing on the Thames covered a full page in the July 28, 1947 Life Magazine.
34 OCNJMAGAZINE.COM
JULY 2022
HE SUMMER of 1947 was a memorable one for Ocean City’s Kelly family. Since 1920, when Olympic champion John B. Kelly was barred from competing in the Henley Royal Regatta (because he did manual labor), he dreamed of seeing the Kelly name on the Diamond Sculls victory list. The dream came true on July 5, 1947 when 20-year-old Jack Kelly Jr. sent his scull knifing through the water on the Thames to beat all competitors. Besides his parents, two of his sisters, Grace and Lizanne, were there to congratulate him when he was presented the world’s premier rowing trophy. The big win was covered in the July 28, 1947 issue of Life Magazine under this headline, “KELLY VS. HENLEY, Son Jack wins Diamond Sculls to end old grudge against Regatta.” America’s favorite magazine devoted three pages to Kelly and included seven pictures.
