An accomplished rider in time trials and road racing and an outstanding contributor to the reputation and success of Yorkshire cycling. He commenced cycling in 1932, joining the Cyclists’ Touring Club and the Youth Hostels Association. He entered competitive cycling in 1934 at the age of eighteen. He won first handicap in his first event and in his fourth event he won his Club’s 12 hours with 218 miles. He was his club’s champion for 1935, 1936 and 1937. He won the Teesside C.A. 12- hours in 1939 with 244 miles, and was unbeaten at 12 hours for seven years afterwards. In 1942 he was a founder member of the British League of Racing Cyclists and won his first road race. In 1944 he won the B.L.R.C. Championship 100 in 4 hrs. 27 mins. 11 secs., only 62 seconds outside the record after a 3 minutes delay. He was the second man to beat 250 miles in 12 hours. Many of his victories were by large margins.
In 1950 he retired from racing to concentrate on the cycle business he established in 1938. He has supplied British cyclists with the best goods from all over the world, sponsored a team of professionals, given much practical help to amateurs and encouraged the English Schools Cycling Association with annual awards covering every aspect of cycling. He introduced cycle racing as a feature of the Harrogate Anglo-French Week and promoted the idea of an International Cycling Festival at Harrogate.
By his ability and industry he has made Harrogate and Yorkshire known all over the world as a cycling centre and brought great benefits to Yorkshire Cycling.
10th February 1980