On Her Majesty's Service

By Alan Turner

Can anyone help with a request from Richard Mummery? A lifetime of motorcycling also included his compulsory National Service. His skills at trials riding did not go un-noticed and he was chosen to represent his unit at the Army Championship Trials. The first he contested was in 1960. It was the first time the event took place over two days and it was held in north Wales. At the time, all the armed forces took such sporting endeavours very seriously and call-up meant that somewhere at various times among all the uniforms could be found some of the country's top motorcycle riders. Unsurprisingly, the 1960 event attracted press interest and Richard achieved a secondclass award in some distinguished company. All competitors were riding service-issue machinery, mostly BSA's M20 500cc side-valve.

The following year, Richard was encouraged to ride again and this time the trial took place around the Longmoor Military Railway, Liss, Hampshire,. While Richard repeated his secondclass award performance, and still has the award, he has few other souvenirs of the occasion. He has copies of the reports in Motor Cycle and Motorcycling, unfortunately both going no further than the list of First Class award winners. Winner in 1961 was one Chris Cullen.

While there was a programme for the 1960 event, it is unclear whether there was also one for 1961. Can anyone help, please, with any photos, information, or even just reminiscences?

Contact Richard on 01227 751751, or e-mail: sheila.mummery@sky.com.