The Bill Fletcher Photographic Collection

J Barnett  High Beech 1928  E Farley  Pete Alnack Falling J Barnett and T Croomb

R Starley

J Barnett

High Beech 1928

T Phillips (No32) & George Fletcher 19th February 1928

High Beech. Kings Oak Speedway. T Phillps 32 and George Fletcher 28. 19th February 1928

Bill Fletcher says: George Fletcher was my father.  Bill says: My father in his later years was a difficult man to talk to!! But I would love to know how long he rode competitively for, I can only find his name mentioned in 1928. The story he always told me was that he was a committee member with the Ilford Motor Cycle & Light Car Club and the club was nearly broke and needed to raise money. Four of them went for a ride one Sunday and they ended up having a pint at the Kings Oak at High Beech. There was a horse trotting track at the back of the pub and as they drank their pints looking out at the track one of them came up with the idea of holding a dirt track meeting, they asked the landlord and the first dirt track meeting was born. My father could never remember who is was who originally came up with the idea, just saying it was not him. My father did tell me the names of the other three members but that was many years ago and I can’t remember their names, it would be nice to know the name of the person who started it all.

John says: so, can anyone throw any light on the Kings Oak, High Beech story   My understanding is that the secretary and founder of the Ilford Motorcycle club Jack Hill-Bailey was responsible for bringing dirt track racing to the Kings Oak.  Maybe he was just the man in charge and George Fletcher and his club friends were actually the guys who mooted the idea to their club secretary.  If you can help please email me John

High Beech, Kings Oak Speedway

E Farley

Pete Alnack

J Barnett & T Croomb

This early action photo appears to show a Douglas leading a Harley Davidson.  What a spectacle for fans.  I wish I had a time machine!

George Fletcher In 1928

Bills father, George Fletcher in 1928, does anyone recognise the bike which looks bit of a heavy hybrid to me.  It has a brake drum on the front and number plate but a small speedway type fuel tank.  I think it must have been a handful in the corners.  Maybe George rode it to the track and removed some items like the lights, mudguards etc before going on the track.  If you can say what make the bike was then please send an email John

Hugh Darlington says: Hi John,  The bike George Fletcher is riding is a 1928 Ariel Model ‘E’ Super Sport with its tank removed.  I bought mine in 1969 and still have it!! Regards,

Kings Oak Speedway 1928

Kings Oak Speedway 1928.  G Fletcher 28 and R Pointer 27  Bill Fletcher says: George Fletcher was my father

Kings Oak August 1928

Kings Oak Aug 1928. J Barnett 21 and G Fletcher 36  Bill Fletcher says: G Fletcher was my father

Hugh Darlington says: Hi John,  The bike George Fletcher is riding is a 1928 Ariel Model ‘E’ Super Sport with its tank removed.  I bought mine in 1969 and still have it!! Regards,

J Barnett & Vic Huxley

"Brisbane" Smith

Kings Oak. Brisbane Smith taking on some refreshment!  This guy was also a wall of death rider.  He maybe rode around the top of the wall with his mouth open, like this, for peanuts etc. Seriously though motorsports are dangerous things as he found out when riding the "Wall" cost him his life in 1931 at the Poole Fair.

Rest in Peace Brisbane

1929 Mason Trophy Winner J Barnett

Kings Oak: Mason Trophy winner 1929 J Barnett

These photos are the property of Bill Fletcher,  But if you can help with any text about the pictures then please email me John

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