"Motorcycle dispatch riders in 1914" by Nick Shelly
06 Apr

Our speaker Nick Shelley, working with his brother Martin Shelley, researched the motorcyclists who volunteered as dispatch riders in August 1914. His talk describes the key role played by these motorcyclists on the “Retreat from Mons” and then in the first battles around Ypres and the beginning of trench warfare. He focuses on the dozen or so men
(pictured) who served with 5 th Division, and his talk is illustrated with many of their own photographs. Nick and Martin included many of these photographs in their book Two Wheels to War, which also has the full text of a book published by one of them, along with memoirs and letters of many others.

Nick and Martin are both keen motorcyclists, with a particular love of pre-war machines. Since his retirement, Nick has served as Secretary of the Marston Sunbeam Club which caters for pre-war Sunbeam motorcycles and their owners.

Please note that this talk replaces any talks previously planned for this date. 

Finally, the suggest amount for the voluntary donation by attendees has been raised from £3 to £4 to pay for the increased running of the branch due to a change of meeting venue and to cover speaker costs.

 

 

Great Stukeley Village Hall, Ermine Street, Great Stukeley, Huntingdon, PE28 4AQ
06 Apr 2022 19:30