GregT 2 Posted October 7, 2022 My brother and i are trying to fill in a missing piece of our dad's history. We were well aware of his speedway history here in NZ. Prewar an A grader at Monica Park in Christchurch and postwar helping to get Aranui started. But what we didn't know was that he'd gone to the Uk prewar and had apparently ridden for Wembley. We think the years in question would be 1935 - 37. Any information would be welcomed, dates and the level ridden at particularly. Thanks in advance Greg Thomas Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,135 Posted October 8, 2022 I've not come across the name. He was certainly never a contracted Wembley rider. He may have ridden as a junior or novice in second halves, but that would be as far as he got. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,117 Posted October 8, 2022 I've not come across the name before either, and I can't find any trace of him racing in Britain between 1934 and 1938. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bavarian 768 Posted October 8, 2022 In 1935 a New Zealander by the name of "Thomas" rode in a couple of meetings at the Stade Vélodrome Buffalo in Paris, France. He was in the line-up of nine riders on Sunday, September 1, 1935, for the "Championnat du Monde de Dirt Track", the unofficiall world championship, which was contested in Paris annualy from 1931 to 1935. He was referred to as Gene Thomas and as Clem Thomas in a couple of French newspaper reports, but the French press was never that accurate when it came to the correct names or the nationalities of the dirt track riders. It could very well be Wally. The only other New Zealanders that ever rode in Paris were Spencer Stratton and 'Mac' Sillick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bavarian 768 Posted October 8, 2022 Well, there were another two New Zealanders, who rode in Paris. That's Stewie St.George (though he rode at another Paris track at St.Ouen back in 1928) and Charlie Blacklock (1932/34). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BL65 658 Posted October 8, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, Bavarian said: He was referred to as Gene Thomas and as Clem Thomas in a couple of French newspaper reports, but the French press was never that accurate when it came to the correct names or the nationalities of the dirt track riders. It could very well be Wally. From the little information I have regarding Clem Thomas I believe he was born in around 1913. He rode for Lea Bridge/Walthamstow in 1934 and spent the 1935 season with Hackney. I understand that although he was known as Clem he was sometimes referred to as W.C. Thomas. I would be interested to know Wally's date and place of birth. There was a photograph in the Daily Mirror on 4th April 1934, showing Clem Thomas, N. (Jack) Bibby and J. (Fred) Tracey. They are described as 'three new Australian riders who will be riding for Lea Bridge this season'. The Daily Mirror, 16th February 1934, stated that Clem Thomas was attached to the Melbourne track in Australia and only recently came into the limelight. The London Daily News, 5th April 1934, said that Clem was 5 ft 2 ins tall and weighed just 8st. Edited October 8, 2022 by BL65 information added. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,117 Posted October 8, 2022 2 hours ago, BL65 said: There was a photograph in the Daily Mirror on 4th April 1934, showing Clem Thomas, N. (Jack) Bibby and J. (Fred) Tracey. They are described as 'three new Australian riders who will be riding for Lea Bridge this season'. And he rode for a "Kangaroos" team at Hackney on 19th August, 1935. Of course, the opposing "Bulldogs" team included Morian Hansen, so that doesn't prove anything... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GregT 2 Posted October 8, 2022 Thanks for that quick response guys. Wally was W G Thomas, born 1902 Christchurch NZ. I suspect '34 is too early as he rode at the first speedway meeting in ChCh in 1929 then when Monica Park opened he was a regular for several seasons. One of the things he's remembered for here is leading the strike by the Kiwi team picked for the first test against the visiting UK team. Lets just say there was a massive pay discrepancy between the two teams. The NZ promoters flew a team in from Wellington which featured Charlie Blacklock. If it helps, Wally Kilminster was a close friend. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,117 Posted October 8, 2022 1 hour ago, GregT said: Thanks for that quick response guys. Wally was W G Thomas, born 1902 Christchurch NZ. I suspect '34 is too early as he rode at the first speedway meeting in ChCh in 1929 then when Monica Park opened he was a regular for several seasons. One of the things he's remembered for here is leading the strike by the Kiwi team picked for the first test against the visiting UK team. Lets just say there was a massive pay discrepancy between the two teams. The NZ promoters flew a team in from Wellington which featured Charlie Blacklock. If it helps, Wally Kilminster was a close friend. That's interesting, and quite possibly helpful. As I said, there's no actual record of a "Wally" Thomas, but old records aren't always accurate. I guess we have some more research to do, to see if we can help you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GregT 2 Posted October 8, 2022 (edited) Full name was Walton George Thomas. Never heard of any nicknames either sorry. And no known history or anecdotal evidence of riding in France either. Edited October 8, 2022 by GregT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GregT 2 Posted October 8, 2022 (edited) The Wally Kilmister connection might have some bearing on where/when/if he rode. Could Wally K have for example arranged a ride as a reserve ? Certainly when dad was in London in 1940 prior to shipping out for Crete he spent time with Wally K. To the extent of doing a couple of days work in Wally K's shop. Probably because they'd been out on the town. There are diary entries confirming that Wally K couldn't stand the pace and had to be poured into his bed at least two nights running. The night life during those years seems to have been frenetic to say the least. Edited October 8, 2022 by GregT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,117 Posted October 8, 2022 13 minutes ago, GregT said: The Wally Kilmister connection might have some bearing on where/when/if he rode. Could Wally K have for example arranged a ride as a reserve ? Certainly when dad was in London in 1940 prior to shipping out for Crete he spent time with Wally K. To the extent of doing a couple of days work in Wally K's shop. Probably because they'd been out on the town. There are diary entries confirming that Wally K couldn't stand the pace and had to be poured into his bed at least two nights running. The night life during those years seems to have been frenetic to say the least. Obviously, Wembley would have been the most likely, but I checked as much as I could find right now - and concentrated on the London clubs. There has to be something on him somewhere! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,135 Posted October 8, 2022 I have found a Clem Thomas riding at Luton in 1935. Luton was used by Wembley as a nursery track. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BL65 658 Posted October 8, 2022 (edited) 39 minutes ago, norbold said: I have found a Clem Thomas riding at Luton in 1935. Luton was used by Wembley as a nursery track. That's the same Clem Thomas who was with Lea Bridge, Walthamstow and Hackney. He was in the Hackney reserves team for the match at Luton on 8th June 1935. He also rode for Hackney reserves in matches at Seaforth, Cardiff and Plymouth that year, as well as representing West Ham reserves at Plymouth. Edited October 8, 2022 by BL65 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,117 Posted October 9, 2022 It's just interesting that we are finding other riders called "Thomas", but back home, it certainly appears that he was just known as "Wally". On Tuesday, December 27, 1932, Monica Park Speedway in Christchurch hosted an Interprovincial contest between Canterbury and Wellington, with Wally Kilmister and Charlie Blacklock as captains. Also on the bill was a "Chevrolet Gold Helmet Race between Wally Thomas and Norm Gray. The following month, Wally faced Percy Lunn in a challenge race, while there was a three-cornered match race between Kilmister, Blacklock, and Eric Whittle. There was an article on Speedwayplus which featured all New Zealanders who raced in the UK, and Wally's name isn't listed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites