Humphrys genealogy

Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.


My ancestors - Humphrys - Contents


Dick Humphreys' motor sport career

Motor sport career of Dick Humphreys.
Dick took part in a large number of motorcycle and motor sport events, in at least 1920-1927.

He entered both speed trials and reliability trials.
Explanation of reliability trials:

  


Dick on motorcycle with Sighle, c.1918.
This is [P106/589].
See larger and full size.


  

Origins

Dick's first motorcycle ride was around 1909 (age around 13).
He recalls it in IC, 8 Oct 1919.

Dick started riding motorcycles regularly c.1912, age c.16.
See him writing in IC, 13 July 1921.

He assembled his own motorcycle from parts in 1919. The story was he was discouraged from buying a motorcycle. He got around it by building one out of parts in his bedroom. The family got a great surprise when he dragged it down the stairs.
See IC, 10 Sept 1919.

  


1920

The first trials we can find Dick on are in 1920:
  


Paris-Nice Trial, Feb 1921

Dick had studied in Paris in late 1919 - early 1920.
In Feb 1921 he went to France to compete in the Paris-Nice trial, all across France, organised by the Motocycle Club de France (MCF).
Dick was in the Motos 250 cmc.
He won a gold medal. He was 'only the second machine to arrive' in Nice.
See IC, 9 Mar 1921.
  

Dick (centre) at the start of the Paris-Nice Trial, Paris, Feb 1921.


  

March to May 1921


  

Isle of Man TT, June 1921

Dick's biggest race was when he rode in the 1921 Isle of Man TT in June 1921.
He rode in the Junior TT race (350 cc and under, also here), 14 June 1921. 65 starters.

The Senior TT race (up to 500 cc) was on 16 June 1921 - he was a spectator for this.
See IC, 8 June, 15 June, 22 June, 29 June 1921.
See Motor Cycling, 22 June 1921.

Claim of more TT races:

Claim of riding with Stanley Woods:




Dick riding in the Isle of Man Junior TT, June 1921.



Dick in the Isle of Man Junior TT, 1921.



Dick on RHS, 1921.
This might be at the TT.
See larger and full size.
See other scan.



Dick's trophy from the 1921 Isle of Man TT.
See larger and full size.
See front.



The inscription on the trophy.
See larger and full size.


  

More 1921

  


1922

  


March to June 1923

  


Leinster 100, July 1923

Dick raced in the Leinster 100 mile motorcycle handicap roadrace, Dunshaughlin, Co.Meath, Sat 14 July 1923.
Organised by the Leinster MC.
3rd place was Stanley Woods ('the winner of the Isle of Man Junior TT last month') on a Cotton.
9th place was Richard Humphreys on a Velocette (winning gold medal). He received finishers' award and replica of C.E. Jacobs cup.
See extensive report in Irish Independent, Mon 16 July 1923.
I had a reference that someone said he was on a '2½ Velocette' not his 2¼ Velocette.
  

The Leinster 100, July 1923.
"Dick (No.10) won Lightweight class"
See copy in [P106/590(2)].



Dick among the 18 finishers. (There were many non-finishers.)
From Irish Independent, Mon 16 July 1923.



An ad for Hutchinson tyres lists Dick as 'R.H.Humphreys'.
From Irish Independent, Mon 16 July 1923.


  

More 1923

  


1924

  


1925

  


1926

  


1927

  


Unknown date

  

Unknown event. Looks like Dick in the crowd in the centre.
Back says it is Irish Times press picture.
See larger and full size.



Unknown event. Maybe Dick. Maybe Portmarnock.
This is [P106/599(12)].
See full size.


  

Motor journalism

Some of Dick's motor journalism:
  


References

  

Sources yet to be consulted

  

Things to do



1986 theft

Most of Dick's motorsport awards were stolen in a burglary at Kingswood, Clondalkin, on Fri afternoon, 14 Mar 1986.
Contact me if you see them anywhere.

  




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