Kangaroos In Speedway League In Britian

[speedyguy 20]

Tiger Hart:

 

I have also been told that Steve Langton and Tiger Hart arrived in UK in 1930? Is that correct?

 

Thanks for the info Ross.

[Ross Garrigan 2]

Tiger Hart:

 

I have also been told that Steve Langton and Tiger Hart arrived in UK in 1930? Is that correct?

 

Thanks for the info Ross.

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I have every reason to believe Steve Langton (his first name was Joseph by the way, but he preferred to be known by the shortened version of his middle name) first went to England in 1930. I do know for certain he was there in 1931.

 

Re Bat Byrnes: I have the very lengthy tribute printed in his honour which appeared in the Bathurst programme the year following his death. That is how I know where the "Bat" came from. It was more of a life story than a tribute. He was extremely highly thought of in Australian motorcycling circles. His first love was road racing and he was often late arriving in the UK for the new speedway season as he fitted in his speedway around his road racing in Australia.

[norbold 7,120]

Steve Langton and Tiger Hart both rode at Eastbourne in 1930.

[iris123 21,012]

Also on the subject of different names was H.R.Lees and "Ginger" Lees used at the same time?I only have him down as H.R.Lees in programmes i have,just wondered if other tracks listed him as Ginger.Norbold?

[norbold 7,120]

I don't know about other tracks. Sir Arthur Elvin refused to use the name "Ginger" in Wembley's programmes as it was a bit "downmarket"! He insisted on Lees having his initials, H.R., printed in the programme. I don't remember seeing any away programmes of the period featuring Lees. Interesting point!

[iris123 21,012]

Looed through my collection a little.In the Wimbledon programme for the 1934

England v Australia test he is listed as H.R.Lees,but in a "gossip" part of the programme as Ginger,and whoever filled his name in as a reserve replacement put G.Lees in.Also a New Cross v Wembley programme from same year has him in as "Ginger" Lees along with "Nobby" Key for the home side.So it looks very much like he was simultaneously known as H.R.Lees and Ginger Lees.The same would go for other riders down the years i guess.

[chunky 6,112]

Two more for you:

 

Jack Gates (St. Austell)

Gordon Leigh (Swindon) who was sadly killed at Warragula in December 1959.

 

Steve

[Ross Garrigan 2]

Steve Langton and Tiger Hart both rode at Eastbourne in 1930.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Thanks for that Norbold. I can now cross that off my list of problems to be solved.

 

 

Australian Speedway History

http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm

Edited April 2, 2006 by Ross Garrigan

[Ross Garrigan 2]

Two more for you:

 

Jack Gates (St. Austell)

Gordon Leigh (Swindon) who was sadly killed at Warragula in December 1959.

 

Steve

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Jack Gates had a fascinating nick name - he was known as "Rusty" Gates.

 

Australian Speedway History

http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm

Edited April 2, 2006 by Ross Garrigan

[chunky 6,112]

Jack Gates had a fascinating nick name - he was known as "Rusty" Gates.

 

            Australian Speedway History

http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

OK Ross, there's another Aussie we've forgotten - Ipswich's Shorty Schirmer. Any ideas about his nickname? His height, perhaps?

 

Steve

[Ross Garrigan 2]

OK Ross, there's another Aussie we've forgotten - Ipswich's Shorty Schirmer.  Any ideas about his nickname?  His height, perhaps?

 

Steve

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Sorry Steve. Can't help you with that one.

 

Ross.

[Ross Garrigan 2]

I notice on the list of New Zealand riders one "Ronnie Moore".

 

I think his name should be on the Australian list as well. He rode in England as an Australian before he rode there as a New Zealander.

[chunky 6,112]

I notice on the list of New Zealand riders one "Ronnie Moore".

 

I think his name should be on the Australian list as well. He rode in England as an Australian before he rode there as a New Zealander.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I know what you're saying, Ross, but you have to admit that he was actually known as a Kiwi. Obviously, there have been a few others who have changed nationality, such as Bob Andrews, Mitch Shirra, or Tadeusz Teodorowicz (I don't count Rune Holta among them!), and that might actually make an interesting list. To include riders on multiple lists here would not only be confusing, but could spark a few arguments!

 

Incidentally, here's another forgotten Aussie: Jack Hyland, who rode for Middlesbrough in 1939.

 

Steve

Edited April 3, 2006 by chunky

[Ross Garrigan 2]

I know what you're saying, Ross, but you have to admit that he was actually known as a Kiwi.  Obviously, there have been a few others who have changed nationality, such as Bob Andrews, Mitch Shirra, or Tadeusz Teodorowicz (I don't count Rune Holta among them!), and that might actually make an interesting list.  To include riders on multiple lists here would not only be confusing, but could spark a few arguments!

 

Incidentally, here's another forgotten Aussie: Jack Hyland, who rode for Middlesbrough in 1939.

 

Steve

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I've just written a story on Ronnie Moore which includes section of a letter written by his mother in 1951 addressing the matter of his nationality. There were some who were questioning his eligibility at the time to ride for Australia in Test Matches. If one looks at his early appearances in World Finals, he represented Australia.

 

 

Australian Speedway History

http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm

[norbold 7,120]

Looed through my collection a little.In the Wimbledon programme for the 1934

England v Australia test he is listed as H.R.Lees,but in a "gossip" part of the programme as Ginger,and whoever filled his name in as a reserve replacement put G.Lees in.Also a New Cross v Wembley programme from same year has him in as "Ginger" Lees along with "Nobby" Key for the home side.So it looks very much like he was simultaneously known as H.R.Lees and Ginger Lees.The same would go for other riders down the years i guess.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Allen Trump told me that he has some pre-War correspondence between Sir Arthur Elvin and H.R. "Ginger" Lees, in which he wrote to Lees as "Dear Ginger", so his ban on the name in Wembley programmes didn't extend to his personal correspondence.