Becher Gale

A member of the Argonaut Rowing Club of Toronto, Becher Gale attended two consecutive editions of the Summer Olympics prior to World War I. At the 1908 Games he was a member of the coxless fours crew that was eliminated in the opening round (although for historical purposes he is considered a bronze medalist, as there were only four teams in the event) and the coxed eights squad that was eliminated in the semi-finals (again earning them the equivalent of bronze medal placement). In 1912 he rowed with the coxed eights again, this time considered one of the favorites, but they were drawn against the other favorite, the Leander Club of Great Britain, and eliminated in the opening round by approximately half a length. Outside of rowing, he was also athletically involved with the Argonaut’s football team.

Two years later Loudon enlisted with the 36th Peel Regiment of the Canadian infantry and was sent overseas as a Lieutenant to fight in World War I. He transferred to the 74th Battalion, and then the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles, and survived the conflict with the rank of Major. After the war he worked a variety of jobs, including a banker and a vice-president and sales manager with Rexall Drugs.