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MG Maverick
United Kingdom
1045 Posts |
 Posted - 18/11/2019 : 15:18:41
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For general interest, as part of my research on DHC and MEMG who died after overturning their J2 in Harrow. I have found the attached photos of the ' Orchard ' where the couple spent their last evening at the dinner/dance hosted by the Harrow Car Club.
The group photo in front would have been 1935, the Silver Jubilee Anniversary, hence 1935, the year of the accident. The other photos are of the ' Orchard ' also, plus a contempory menu.
Chris
J2353
J4129 |
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Ben Stephens
United Kingdom
167 Posts |
Posted - 18/11/2019 : 17:49:32
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Chris,
Do you have a list of the other people attending?
Regards
Ben |
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MG Maverick
United Kingdom
1045 Posts |
Posted - 18/11/2019 : 18:50:24
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Hello Ben, I have no attendance information unfortunately, just the archived photographs. I was informed that the dinner was the HCC dinner/ dance of the 5th April 1935 which DHC and MEMG attended and was their last, but no identification of the attendees. They were here, but no idea which of these folk they are.
Chris
J2353
J4129 |
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Max Headroom
United Kingdom
292 Posts |
Posted - 19/11/2019 : 23:53:13
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Fantastic photos and research Chris.
I used to regiularly frequent The Orchard when I was working at Northolt!
The interior is a bit different now 
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Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
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Inside every older person is a younger person – wondering what the hell happened.
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Edited by - Max Headroom on 19/11/2019 23:55:09 |
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malcolm jones
United Kingdom
26 Posts |
Posted - 20/11/2019 : 11:47:29
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Hello Chris,
the Orchard Hotel is now a Beefeater, possibly closed, but trying to view it on Google Streetview there is a short stretch with no cover, just where we want it.
Apparently the Orchard was used during the war for R&R by the Polish airmen based at Northolt- later there was a metal Spitfire 'parked' in front of the Hotel, but it was stolen!
Now the only tribute to these brave airmen is the Polish War Memorial on the A40.
I think Winterstoke House is now part of the Mill Hill campus, possibly the pre-preparatory building.
I wonder where DHC was going when the accident happened, the area must have been much more rural back then, my sister-in-law thinks of Harrow etc as more like separate villages before they were consumed by suburbia.
Also, is there a summary of DHC's competition history somewhere?
Malcolm
M. G. Jones |
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MG Maverick
United Kingdom
1045 Posts |
Posted - 20/11/2019 : 12:23:13
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Hello Malcolm, Dudley was taking his passenger Marjorie E.M. Gush home to Acacia Avenue, St Johns Wood. There are newish apartment blocks there now, so assume that Marjories original residence was demolished. Same with DHCs ' Tudor House ', I have been to the lane where the house was, but just later buildings are there now. They had met for the first time that evening, so tragic.
Yes, Dudley is mentioned in two publications driving J4129.
1 ) How They Ran, J1s and J2s in Competition, by Mike Hawke Page 115
2 ) 75 Years of the J2 MG, again by Mike Hawke Page 92.
two 2nd class awards are mentioned :
1) 24/2/1935 WHAC Trial ( Not sure what this trial is, I have a car badge with West Hants and Dorset )
2) 2/3/1935 JCC Brooklands Rally
There have been various mentions in motoring articles about DHCs involvement with driving in the Monte Carlo Rally, I have a plaque dated 1930 in his name and a car badge. These all came with the parts along with various other contempory items, arm bands etc and Brooklands membership badges that Angela Bird passed on to me from her late husbands effects. I have reason to believe that J4129 was trialled after DHCs untimely death as I have a couple of later plaques, one is 1959. My research so far is based around looking for any archived material, especially photos, I have written to Sir Stirling Moss also whose parents would have known DHC. No reply as yet.
Unfortunately Angela Bird knows little of J4129s history and only knew of DHC from the memorabilia she found in her late husband Michaels possessions.
I did know of the Polish Pilots connection with the Orchard, which was owned for many years by the Ansell family, and a recent film called ' 303 Squadron ' is based on the Squadron.
Chris
J2353
J4129 |
Edited by - MG Maverick on 20/11/2019 12:53:07 |
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KevinA
New Zealand
669 Posts |
Posted - 20/11/2019 : 14:52:12
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| WHAC Trial was the West Herts AC Chiltern Hundred trial. |
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MG Maverick
United Kingdom
1045 Posts |
Posted - 20/11/2019 : 15:29:36
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Thanks Kevin.
Chris
J2353
J4129 |
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MG Maverick
United Kingdom
1045 Posts |
Posted - 20/11/2019 : 16:18:36
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Second Page 255 Up to 10hp. Section 36 Second Class Awards : Row 3 D.H.Cottingham ( MG Midget ).
Chris
J2353
J4129 |
Edited by - MG Maverick on 20/11/2019 16:24:13 |
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MG Maverick
United Kingdom
1045 Posts |
Posted - 20/11/2019 : 18:40:40
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Hello Malcolm, Beefeater Orchard is still in business, Ickenham Road, Ruislip, HA4 7DW. Mixed reviews from diners, will visit next time in London.
Chris
J2353
J4129 |
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Ben Stephens
United Kingdom
167 Posts |
Posted - 20/11/2019 : 19:05:13
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| The entrant TC Mann with the Lagonda is interesting. His Grandson still has the car, and it is still driven with lots of gusto across Europe. |
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MG Maverick
United Kingdom
1045 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2019 : 10:02:51
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From this article July 2001 it would appear that Marjorie Gush was also a driver herself. also noticed that Bill Boddy made an error , should be Geoffrey Bryan Gush, not Bryan G. Gush.
Chris
J2353
J4129 |
Edited by - MG Maverick on 21/11/2019 10:09:43 |
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Oz34
United Kingdom
2500 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2019 : 11:49:11
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James Mann does indeed make very active use of the Lagonda including, three years ago, doing the Monte Carlo Classique to celebrate 80 years since his grandfather did the Monte.
Here is the car on the original:
I have a PDF two pager about its recent exploits if anyone is interested (probably not as it's not an MG!). Original owner, son and grandson have all campaigned the car extensively so that it has quite a history.
Dave |
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Mike the M
United Kingdom
481 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2019 : 12:49:42
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DHC not mentioned in either British Trial Drivers 1929 - 1939 or British Rally Drivers 1925-1939 by Cowbourne.
Mike Dalby |
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MG Maverick
United Kingdom
1045 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2019 : 14:05:44
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Thanks Mike.
Chris
J2353
J4129 |
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MG Maverick
United Kingdom
1045 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2019 : 14:14:08
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Also mentoned is Mrs. A. E. Moss ( 3rd class award with a Singer ) ,mother of Sir Stirling
Chris
J2353
J4129 |
Edited by - MG Maverick on 21/11/2019 14:18:11 |
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