As this is posted the snow is coming down outside so get in the warm and read on.
Motorcyclists who Happen to be Women
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| Marjorie Cottle Pic Source Carole Nash |
In 1918 women got the vote, but 100 years later there is
still controversy over many aspects of gender equality, particularly in the
workplace. We take a look at how women were early adopters of motorcycles and
explore some extraordinary motorcyclists who just happen to be women.
During the pioneer days the motorcycling press and
readership seemed keen to encourage women into motorcycling. After 1911 ladies’
events were being held by motorcycle clubs, and after a few issues over types
of motorcycle, power and weight women were soon competing against men on an
equal footing. During the First World War, outside of the motorcycling world women
proved that they were equally capable of fulfilling tasks that had
traditionally and culturally considered as mens’ work so by 1920 we find women
embedded in two-wheeled sport which compared with the more respectable sport of
car racing, often found itself on the wrong side of the tracks in polite
society. Here are just a few examples of the many women who made their mark in
motorcycling history:
Agnes
Muriel Hind
Agnes Hind is reputed to be the first female owner of a
motorcycle in the UK and regular competitor in trials, including a gold medal
in the 1906 24hr London to Edinburgh trial and a Bronze in the 6-day Lands End
to John O’Groats event the same year. She went on to champion Ladies
motorcycling writing columns and consulting in the design of motorcycles for
female riders.
Fay Taylour
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| Fay Taylour © speedtracktales.com |
Born in Ireland
in 1904, Fay became a champion Speedway rider competing all over the world, she
too competed in trial events including the 1928 ISST trial. An article in
the Adelade Register News-Pictorial in 1929 describes how “more than 16,000 people saw Fay Taylour, the English
(sic) woman motor cyclist, show her skill at the Speedway Royale on Saturday
night, when she won the four lap ‘A’ Grade Handicap in the fastest time for the
season.”
In 1934 she took up car racing competing at Brooklands and the Mille Miglia.
Marjorie Cottle
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Majorie Cottle continues to compete in the 1939 ISDT on the
eve of WW2 Pic Source speedtracktales.com |
A well known motorcyclist of the 1920's Marjorie rode a 1400 mile publicity trip on a Raleigh Motorcycle. She was taken up by the motorcycle industry to promote their wares and it easy to think she was a 'Poster Girl' However, she was a formidable biker competing in numerous events in the UK and abroad and was reported to be one of the best riders in the country. During the 1920's and 30's she won many prizes in events such as the ISDT and Scott Trial. During the 1939 ISDT held in Germany on the eve of WW2, Cottle refused to withdraw with other private entrants and continued with the British Military Team until they too were ordered to make their way to neutral Switzerland.
Elsie Knocker Baroness T’Serclaes
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| Elsie Knocker © National Portrait Gallery |
A keen motorcyclist, member of the Gypsy Club and trials rider; Elsie, a trained nurse saw an opportunity to join up at the
beginning of WW1. Initially denied a chance to serve on the front line by the
British she became a London based dispatch rider with friend Mairi Chisholm
(See Below), before they both signed up as members of Hector Munro’s Belgain Flying
Ambulance Corps. Elsie frustrated at the number of men dying of their wounds
set up her own treatment station with Mairi on the front line where under
enormous danger they were able to treat and transport men to hospital. Awarded
by the Belgains for their service the ‘Madonnas of Pervyse’ were featured in
the press of the time. Elsie served in the RAF during WW2.
Mairi Chisholm
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| Mairi Chisholm © IWM Q105931 |
A keen motorcyclist, Mairi persuaded her parents
that she should be doing her bit for the WW1 war effort. She signed up as a
despach rider with friend Else Knocker (see above), before being spotted by Dr
Hector Munro who was putting together a mobile Ambulance service on behalf of the
Belgians. She was able to persuade Hector to include Elsie Knocker in the
group. She went on to serve with Else Knocker at their field hospital close to
the front line. Both women continued to ride motorcycles as well as their Motor Ambulances in Belgium. After the war she too briefly served with the RAF, but her
heath suffered because of the gas attacks the women endured at the field hospital. She is reported to have later continued in motorsport by taking
up car racing.
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Elsie & Mairi at Their Forward Treatment Post
© IWM Q 106001 |
Miss L Ball*
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| Miss Ball (Right) at Brooklands 1925 Source speedtracktales.com |
Won a gold medal at the 1923 ISDT riding a James
motorcycle. The Motorcycle Magazine said “the
most outstanding performance of the trial. Without losing a single point all
week had excelled at Bushcombe and Alms, and had not been in any serious
difficulty on any of the hills.”
Beatrice Shilling OBE, PhD, MSc, CEng
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| Beartrice 'Tilly' Shilling ©University of Manchester |
Women such as Beatrice Shilling were competing against men
during the glory days of Brooklands. In August 1934 Beatrice, a brilliant
engineer, lapped her self-prepared Norton at 101.02mph and in doing so not only
won a Brooklands Gold Star, but later that day became the first woman to be
handicapped against all her male entrants, leaving the starting line last. In
this race she beat her own time to win a further Star at a lap speed of 101.85.
She is reputed to have refused to marry her future husband until he too had
earned a Brooklands Gold Star. She went on to design a critical component of
the Merlin engine during WW2. Her modification allowed a steady flow of fuel to
the carburettors preventing the engine, used in Spitfires and Hurricanes,
stalling during particular manoeuvres. She was still competing in trials until
later in life.
Theresa Wallach
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| Theresa Wallach (seated) at Brooklands Source themotolady.com |
Theresa Wallach, Brooklands racer, engineer and adventure motorcyclist.
On 11 December 1934 she set off with Florence Blenkiron on a motorcycle trip
from London to Cape Town arriving on 29 July 1935. She later lived in the USA
touring and running a business specialising in British bikes. She was riding
until the age of 88. The first Vice-President of the Women’s International
Motorcycle Association, she was inducted into the AMA hall of fame in 2003.
Florence
Blenkiron
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Florence Blenkiron (left) with Theresa Wallach at Brooklands
Source themotolady.com |
The
first woman to hold the 100 mph record in 1934 and later that year travelled to
Cape Town with Theresa Wallach (see
above)
*Despite further research we have not yet been
able to find her first name, please get in contact if you have any further
information.
The Quest for King Dick By William Whiteley
Of, course we all know about King Dick. I remember first
giggling about the name in the infant’s School. ‘King Dick’ tools of Abingdon,
and yes they also built bikes. However, William Whiteley’s research over many
years has uncovered the fascinating story of the Abingdon works, the people who
worked there as well as the tools and many other products they created. Like
many others out there, Bill’s years of research was not originally intended for
publication but was studiously collected as both as part of his role as
Abingdon Expert for the VMCC and interest in the history of the people involved.
His fascination in the history of the works led him to it write up and in
November he finally published the book.
Just before publication I asked him what the title was, he
said “The Quest for King Dick” I said “are you sure; the search engines will
have fun with that”. But the title was already set in stone and now it is
available to buy. He did however have a few problems initially as the
publisher’s website had hidden it from public view marking it as ‘Adult
Content’. I also believe that it is not currently available on Amazon as two of
the images do not meet their standards for clarity. No doubt the negative side
of artificial intelligence has intervened, but I can assure you there is
nothing wrong with the quality of any of the images. Personally, I would rather
have a poor image of a historical subject than a description.
The Book tells the story of the Abingdon Works and the
people who made it. Whilst many know
about the tools and possibly the bikes; the book explains how they also made
guns, armaments, Bicycles, a car and a vacuum cleaner. Bill explained that the
book was published as a result of many years of painstaking research into the
history of Abingdon. The many pages of notes gradually came together in the
form of a book and then with the assistance of Annice Collett, formally the VMCC
Librarian it was finally published. It is an excellent read which includes
hundreds of illustrations and images. It is an essential resource for those
interested in any aspect of the Abingdon Works history and includes the
specifications of all known Kerry, Abingdon, Kerry-Abingdon, Blumfield,
Abingdon King Dick, and AKD; Cycle, Tri-car, Cycle-Car, Motorcycle, Tricycle
and Engine combinations from 1903 until 1932.
As for Bill he can often be seen riding his Kerry Abingdon
Motorcycle which is on long term loan to Brooklands Museum.
The Quest for King Dick: An Exploration of the Abingdon
Works and their Products (ISBN 9780244645625) is available from
the Fenland Classic Motorcycles Bookshop £15.00 plus P&P.
MARCH
4 March Brooklands British Maques Day. This is a new event for 2018 featuring cars and bikes.
