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The White Knight

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Posts posted by The White Knight

  3. Posted

    19 hours ago, chunky said:

    Reading the last update posted about Morian Hansen got me thinking... I do have more than a passing interest in speedway riders who "served" in World War II. In addition to Hansen, we've also mentioned Pole Max Rech, who became an RAF pilot during the war, and Canadian George Pepper, who was killed in a test flight in 1942.

    There is another rider who sadly, was unable to survive the conflict; former Wimbledon captain, 'Smiling' Jim Kempster. Born "Ernest Kempster" on October 9, 1900, Jim really wasn't around for long. In a short career, he was listed both as "English Champion" (after beating Roger Frogley in a match race in 1928), and "World Champion" (when beating Sprouts Elder). Of course, nothing was official, but he still proved himself a quality rider, posting an average of 10.00 in 1929, and 9.21 in 1930. His average dipped to below 7 the following season.

    After taking a season off, he reappeared for Clapton in 1933, but was never the same rider. Still, in such a short space of time, he managed to find himself pictured on at least two sets of cigarette cards!

    So, on to the war, and he served with the Air Transport Auxiliary. The ATA delivered everything from mail and medical supplies to personnel and aircraft. On 29 June, 1945, Jim was piloting Anson DG916 when the aircraft hit some HT cables in bad weather, and crashed into the River Rhine. Flight Officer E.A.D. Kempster was killed along with Second Officer Harry Race. He was 44.

    His grave is at the Rheinberg War Cemetery in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.

     

    I would have liked to have 'Like'd this Post.

    Unfortunately, for some reason, I can't.

    I've been unable to for months, despite reporting it.

  6. Posted

    On 1/5/2022 at 3:36 AM, iris123 said:

    Can only go on what i guess HE wrote to me. Unfortunately i lost the password to my email account back then that i had contact with him through

    Also know that he told me, he was less than enthusiastic about the return of the Dons venture. So maybe it was more, lack of enthusiasm for modern speedway

    There are quite a few of us suffering from that particular malady. :sad:

  8. Posted · Edited by The White Knight
    I'm puzzled. It now appears to have registered - but - not in the way I thought.

    On 2/19/2024 at 3:12 PM, The White Knight said:

    Good question. :t:

    I wanted to 'Like' this Post - I can't. :angry::angry:

    Chris116

    When I said "I wanted to 'Like' the Post" I wanted to but the Forum wont let me for some reason.

    When I clicked on 'Liking'  Technic's Post above this one, I get a Heart with a black cross to the right of it.

    That is why I posed as I did.

  11. Posted

    A sinner in my opinion as was Bill Bridgett too. I can never forgive them for what they did to Sunderland 'Saints' in 1964.

    They closed us so that they could strengthen their other two Tracks, namely Newcastle and Wolverhampton by 'divvying up' our riders between them, their reasons given for closing just did not add up. The weather was not great, but, we suffered no 'rain offs'. The crowds were pretty good - I know this for I was there at every match. It is notable that Wolverhampton were bottom of the League at the time of our closure, Newcastle got Ken Sharples and went on to win the League, Wolverhampton finished third in the League that year with a good number of Sunderland riders in their team. Jim Airey, Gordon Guasco and Colin McKee.

    I am still very bitter and disgusted about the way Sunderland Speedway was treated by the Promoters in 1964.

    • Like 1

  16. Posted

    Hi Phil

    I have, for some time now, been unable to , 'Like' Posts. Every time I try to 'Like' a Post I get the following message:- Sorry, there was a problem reacting to this content - accompanied by a triangle containing an exclamation mark.

    Please can you help.

    Thanking you in anticipation.

    Ian.

  17. Posted

    20 hours ago, steve roberts said:

    That's sad to read...remember when he rode for the "Cheetahs" in 1976. A great friend of Jack Millen now together again in that great track in the sky.

    RIP

    You echo my thoughts on Jim and Jack, Steve.

    I am desparately sorry to learn of Jim's passing. I remember watching him as a new rider at reserve when he joined us and eventually became our Number One. It was great watching his progress over the years. He came over to the UK around 2006 and we had a 'do' for him, we also met up with him at Redcar to watch a Speedway match.. He was a lovely fellow and a smashing rider...

    He will be sadly missed by all Sunderland 'Stars' Supporters.

    My sincere condolences go out to Jim's family and friends.

    May he Rest In Peace. +

    • Like 2

  23. Posted · Edited by The White Knight
    Spelling etc.

    This book is excellent. It really is a fascinating read. Proves my point 100% as to why we closed in 1964 - it had nothing to do with the weather or attendances - the reasons given by the Promoters. There are a lot of very shady things went on when Sunderland opened in 1964. A lot has come out in this book that I never new about.

    A decent social history of Sunderland too.

    The Author is to be congratulated on some superb research.

    • Like 2

  25. Posted

    1 hour ago, chunky said:

    I was thinking that you would have been there in 1971, and of course, our memories play tricks on us sometimes! Yeah, he went home, and came back six years later.

    He left under a bit of a cloud. Came back to ride for Birmingham I think, memory sometimes lets me down these days..

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