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Devon TRF Group Open Forum -> General Discussion Board -> 1934 Manx Grand Prix - photos
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1934 Manx Grand Prix - photos
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We had our weekly Covid-induced "coffee in the street" with our neighbours last Friday although, due to a few folk being unable to attend, we were a small enough group to meet in next door's back garden. Somehow the conversation turned to motorcycles and "Arthur next door" revealed that his uncle, George Arthur Cole competed in the 1934 Manx Grand Prix Senior race!

 

Arthur dug out this photo (George is No. 8, third from right in the first photo) along with a selection of beautifully detailed sepia (some autographed) postcard photos of some other riders competing in the Manx Grand Prix in 1934. It looks like some sort of team photo but Arthur doesn't know the background to it all.

 

I checked the IoM TT website and, sure enough, G.A. Cole was listed although he retired and didn't finish the race. He was riding a Vincent HRD and amongst the competitors was one Freddie Frith who even I have heard of (he retired as well!) - perhaps from the Ixion books I have read recently?

 

Arthur tried to find George's racing bib that he had inherited but, sadly, it had somehow got lost in their recent house move.

 

A bit of a niche thing but I thought there might be someone here who might be interested biggrin

 

George Cole team photo.jpg



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George worked on the railways before joining the RAF and this photo would probably be taken in the Torbay area at some time in the thirties. George third from right.

Anyone know any local railway history that may be able to say where and why? Could the GWR have fielded a race team in the MGP?

George Cole GWR tractor.jpg



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George on his Norton.

George Cole Number 8.jpg



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These are the other photos in my neighbour's collection. 

I love the helmet R. Lund is wearing aboard his Rudge!



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chrisoncbr


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Great photos Brian.  I love the tractor, probably a Massey Harris but it has been badged GWR (God's Wonderful Railway).  You can see why they call those helmets "pipot".



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Chris
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chrisoncbr wrote:

Great photos Brian.  I love the tractor, probably a Massey Harris but it has been badged GWR (God's Wonderful Railway).  You can see why they call those helmets "pipot".

Glad you liked them Chris. I think they are great and a shame not to be added to the online motorcycle history. I wonder if there is an IoM MGP group or club that would appreciate them.

I had guessed the tractor to be a Standard Fordson as it looked so much like the one my dad used back in the fifties.I had this message on FaceBook from a GWR fan:

"YU" was a 1927 London series Here's a link to a sister GWR "YU" that makes reference to the double-width Muir-Hill driving wheels. https://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrw2646.htm 

It would be good to identify where the photo was taken and if it was at one of our Torbay railway yards.



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steve xr33


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Great photos

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Great pictures Brian showing a very different world to today

The steam railway enthusiasts who work on the Taunton to Minehead railway all dress like the group around the tractor and they all seem determined to live in that era

And theres something really lovely about having a cream tea at Stogumber station and a steam train pulling in to briefly stop alongside you, making all those classic sounds as it sits and waits then moves off ............

Every station on this line has a cafe and weve checked a few of them out (-;



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chrisoncbr


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Sorry Brian, I think I got it wrong.  Seeing "MH" on the wheels, I immediately thought Massey Harris but it looks like you got ti right.  I will enjoy taking the grandkids on the steam trains leaving from Bishops Lydeard as Noel suggested when it all reopens.



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Chris
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Ah - the M-H is Muir-Hill and refers to their special double-width wheels that were fitted specially for GWR. These tractors apparently were used to replace the old traction engines.

I am told by "one who knows" that the tractor "is one of at least two which were fitted with sprung rear wheels and double width driving wheels by Muir Hill Equipment Ltd of Old Trafford, Manchester."



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