Grace's Guide To British Industrial History

Registered UK Charity (No. 115342)

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 164,585 pages of information and 246,144 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 147,919 pages of information and 233,587 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Howard Raymond Davies

From Graces Guide

Howard Raymond Davies (1895-1973) was an English motorcycle racing champion, motorcycle designer and originator of the 'HRD' marque which later became Vincent-HRD motorcycles.

1895 June 27th. Born at 351 Ladypool Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, the son of Frank Davies and his wife and Bertha

The family moved to Wolverhampton where Howard attended Wolverhampton Municipal Grammar School.

Apprentice with AJS

1911 Pupil Motor Cycle Trade, lived in Wolverhampton with his parents[1]

Moved to Clyno as a tester, and shortly thereafter moved to Sunbeam

1914 Second place in the Isle of Man TT race (senior class) on a Sunbeam.

WWI As a 2 Lieut R.E. he gained his aviator's certificate (#3303). Became a pilot in the RFC. Shot down and captured by the Germans in 1917. Legend has it that it was while a prisoner of war he conceived the idea of building his own motorcycle, and contemplated how he might achieve that.

Post WWI. Joined Aston Motor Accessories of Wolverhampton.

Moved to AMAC Carburettors and began again to ride part-time for AJS.

On 24 May 1921, Davies broke four world records at Brooklands: 50 miles at 66.5 mph; 1 hour at 66.09 mph; 100 miles at 64.68 mph; and 2 hours at 65.3 mph.

Left Hutchinson Tyres in August 1924; entered into partnership with E. J. Massey, trading as HRD Motors using the slogan "Built by a Rider". Various models were produced, generally powered by JAP (J. A. Prestwich Industries) engines.

The company survived for just over three years.

1939 Sales manager, coach business, lived in Kenilworth with his family[2]

1973 Died in Knowle[3]

See Also

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Sources of Information

  1. 1911 census
  2. 1939 register
  3. national probate calendar