The Oxford crew weighed an average of 12 st 8.25 lb (79.8 kg), per rower more than their opponents. Cambridge's crew contained three rowers with Boat Race experience, including H. E. Kitching, Edward Williams and Douglas Stuart. Oxford saw six crew members return to the boat, including Alister Kirby and Albert Gladstone, both of whom were making their fourth consecutive appearances. Six occupants of the Dark Blue boat were educated at Eton College. Oxford's number three, Australian Collier Cudmore, was the only non-British participant registered in the race. Three of the Oxford crew who were studying at Magdalen College, Duncan Mackinnon, James Angus Gillan and Cudmore, were gold medallists in the men's coxless four at the 1908 Summer Olympics. The Dark Blues' number two, Harold Barker, and Cambridge's number three, Gordon Thomson (rower), won silver in the same event. Thomson also won gold in the coxless pair. Cambridge's number five, Williams, won a bronze medal in the men's eight in the same Olympiad. Six of the Oxford crew were studying at Magdalen College, while five of Cambridge's were matriculated at Trinity Hall.