In 1919, the Auto Cycle Union sought to demonstrate that it was more than a London-centric organisation by holding a major gathering in Bristol. In this historical feature from The Classic Motorcycle, Simon Robinson explores the event, the motorcycles pictured beside Clifton Suspension Bridge and the notable visitors who attended. Simon Robinson reports…
In 1919 the ACU (the Auto Cycle Union) was a growing establishment with one main aim – to ensure the motorcyclist was being treated fairly. It was seen by many of its 32,000 members at that time as the motorcyclist’s ‘parliament’. As such, the ACU was keen to shrug off the pre-First World War image that it had become a very London-centric organisation. Part of the plan to change this image, and to make the members feel that it was a truly national club, was to begin holding its larger meetings at various regional centres.
In this image, first published in early June 1919 to advertise the upcoming Bristol ACU gathering later that month, we see a collection of machines and their pilots posing in front of one of Bristol’s greatest landmarks, the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Brunel’s wonder bridge had been open for 55 years when this picture was taken, having been officially opened on December 8, 1864, with a large ceremony designed to draw attention to the new structure, which had been 33 years in the making.
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The machine on the left is a Morgan Grand Prix, which appears to be of prewar manufacture, and has a Mr Cates at the wheel. Few new machines were available in 1919, following the enforced hiatus of the 1914-18 Great War, so this would have still been seen as a current model. The Grand Prix model was introduced to celebrate Gordon McMinnies’ victory in the 1913 Cyclecar Grand Prix held in Amiens, France. The model was available in three types: the No. 3, which featured an overhead-valve, water-cooled V-twin JAP engine, plus the No. 2 and No. 1, which were both fitted with water-cooled side-valve JAP V-twin engines, the only variation between the No. 1 and No. 2 being the body width. It’s impossible to tell from our image whether Cates’ Morgan is a No. 1 or a No. 2, but the side-valve engine rules out a No. 3.
The middle machine is unmistakably a Douglas. Bristol-based, Douglas had deep roots in the area. Perched on the carrier is S L (Les) Bailey, Australian works manager at Douglas Motorcycles, with a Mr Smith (secretary of the Bristol club) in the sidecar. The third machine, and the only solo, is a Rudge with a rider labelled only as ‘Mr Tozer’. A little research reveals that there was a family named Tozer who lived in Bristol, three of whom worked at the Rudge Cycle Works, which, interestingly, is listed on the 1921 census as being at 7 Queens Road, Clifton, Bristol. Rudge’s main factory was in Coventry, so it would be suspected that the Bristol site was used for retail and repairs, although Alfred Tozer (the head of the household) is listed as ‘Depot Manager’. The Queens Road site is now a Wetherspoons pub.
The event itself was said to be a roaring success. Upon arrival at the hotel, the ACU dignitaries were greeted with a line of more than 40 Douglas 4hp sidecar outfits. These machines (along with a rider) were for the personal use of the ACU officials for the duration of their visit. The event seemed very much centred on the Douglas works, with a series of factory tours, all guided by various works managers and officials. After a visit to see the machines on final inspection, a deal was negotiated between one of the ACU committeemen and the sales manager, whereby a newly inspected 2¾hp machine was purchased and raffled within the day, the lucky winner taking his new machine home with him that evening.
The Lord Mayor of Bristol added even more pomp and ceremony when he arrived in his official state carriage complete with red-liveried footmen, who were welcomed to the Douglas site by William Douglas himself. After many speeches over a hearty luncheon, the congregation moved on to the more informal and unruly entertainment of the motorcycle gymkhana, which was held in Ashton Court Park. Events included a slow race, an obstacle course and a long jump. The latter was won with an impressive leap of 27ft by Lt Bradshaw aboard his Triumph. One can only wince when imagining the landing on a rigid machine.
Another highlight was the arrival of Captain Sir John Alcock. Fresh from his triumphant first crossing of the Atlantic aboard an aeroplane – a modified Vickers Vimy bomber – Alcock was treated to a hero’s welcome and was quickly swamped by fans. His record-breaking flight had only been completed earlier that same month. Alcock tragically died six months later when an experimental amphibious Vickers aircraft he was piloting crashed in fog in France.
The ACU event was deemed a great success by all, so our team of organisers would have been satisfied and proud that the job was well done.
