chunky 6,097 Posted August 30, 2022 2 hours ago, BL65 said: The Wembley World Final programmes for 1950 and 1952 gave his age as 26 and 28 respectively, with the meetings taking place after his August birthday, suggesting he was born in 1924. That's more what I was looking for. Programmes and info from back then are more likely to be accurate... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,993 Posted August 30, 2022 14 minutes ago, chunky said: That's more what I was looking for. Programmes and info from back then are more likely to be accurate... And yet if you check all the Programmes of the time I think they all have Knutson’s name wrong. In fact was it a speedway Programme editor that first printed the wrong name and it was forever copied ? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BL65 657 Posted August 30, 2022 "Birmingham romped home in true holiday style at Perry Barr on Saturday with a 51-33 Division II League victory over Norwich. It was announced on the track that Tamworth rider Arthur Payne - a 23-year-old Australian - has now been signed by Mr. Les Marshall, the Birmingham promoter." Birmingham Daily Gazette, Monday, 17th May 1948 The local newspaper believed Arthur was born in 1924, according to their report. The Control Board had previously refused to sanction the transfer of Arthur Payne from Tamworth to First Division Wimbledon as he was considered to be too inexperienced. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,097 Posted August 30, 2022 1 hour ago, iris123 said: And yet if you check all the Programmes of the time I think they all have Knutson’s name wrong. In fact was it a speedway Programme editor that first printed the wrong name and it was forever copied ? Oh, spellings are a TOTALLY different thing, and I don't think there was ANY track that didn't misspell a few names! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,993 Posted August 30, 2022 5 minutes ago, chunky said: Oh, spellings are a TOTALLY different thing, and I don't think there was ANY track that didn't misspell a few names! Yes, but funnily enough it is one of my bug bares that in a newspaper you see someone mentioned as being 23 and in the next report they are 24 or 22......but i guess speedway reports always get it right Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,097 Posted August 30, 2022 1 minute ago, iris123 said: Yes, but funnily enough it is one of my bug bares that in a newspaper you see someone mentioned as being 23 and in the next report they are 24 or 22......but i guess speedway reports always get it right Speedway riders are notorious for not giving their correct ages! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,993 Posted August 30, 2022 Ain't that the truth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 467 Posted August 31, 2022 After reading all this I am sticking to 1924- if BL65 says that , well that's good enough for me. So there!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bavarian 767 Posted September 2, 2022 The man is still alive, so somebody could simply ask him or anyone close enough who has contact with Arthur Payne or his family. I guess that Peter White is a reliabe enough source of speedway info Down Under and he gives August 28, 1923, as the date of birth for Arthur Payne. See here https://speedwaypast.com/stories/arthur-payne Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 467 Posted September 3, 2022 Leave it with me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 467 Posted September 4, 2022 OK here goes- I contacted Reg Fearman. Arthur does not use e-mail, but Reg took the trouble to contact Pam Warren ( ex-spouse of Graham Warren) , and also Peter White the Australian journalist and member of the Australian Speedway community and they both confirm Arthur is 99.. So it looks like he WAS indeed born in 1923. I will update his birthdate the next time we update the oldest World Finalist list. It's great speedway people are so helpful, particularly as some are getting up there in age. I was glad to see so many forumlanders wanted to ensure this was corrected 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,097 Posted September 4, 2022 5 hours ago, BOBBATH said: OK here goes- I contacted Reg Fearman. Arthur does not use e-mail, but Reg took the trouble to contact Pam Warren ( ex-spouse of Graham Warren) , and also Peter White the Australian journalist and member of the Australian Speedway community and they both confirm Arthur is 99.. So it looks like he WAS indeed born in 1923. I will update his birthdate the next time we update the oldest World Finalist list. It's great speedway people are so helpful, particularly as some are getting up there in age. I was glad to see so many forumlanders wanted to ensure this was corrected Nice thing is that we had a way of confirming it! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 467 Posted September 5, 2022 You got that right Chunky-off topic but in 1965 did Wimbledon run on a Monday night or am I dreaming- I am sure West Ham ran on Tuesday( along with Long Eaton) and Hackney on Friday. I was working in Basildon -used to watch 'em all- would get the train from Laindon to Barking and then get on the underground. The best viewing for me was at West Ham. In 1965 was Oxford on Thursday- not sure- but certainly Sheffield was on a Thursday. Wonderful days-at that time just across the road from Barking Station was a Wimpy's where I used to scarf food down. I always recall they had the ketchup in a round container that looked like a Tomato-are Wimpy's still around or have they been defeated by McDonalds, Burger King etc etc 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,116 Posted September 5, 2022 Wimbledon's might was always Monday back in the day. Monday: Wimbledon Tuesday: West Ham Wednesday: New Cross Thursday: Wembley Friday: Harringay Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 467 Posted September 5, 2022 Thanx Norbold when was Oxford and Norwich?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
