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Johnnie Hoskins |
| THE ADVENTURE
BEGINS |
The week prior to his departure for England in April 1928, Johnnie Hoskins gave
an interview which was featured in the West Australian newspaper under the
heading “AUSTRALIAN INVASION.”
The article opens as follows: -
“On the eve of his departure to England on the Oronsay on Tuesday night, the
managing director of W.A. Speedways Ltd (Mr. J. Hoskins), in a special
interview, looked forward to the possibilities of this sport in England and
reviewed the past history of dirt tracks in Australia.”
Another extract: -
“Mr. Hoskins is taking with him S. Schlam, C. Datson and R. Johnson, Perth’s
leading dirt track riders, and is under contract with the Crystal Palace Co. for
its opening night on May 12, only with the possibility of then entering into
further contracts. The riders will be paid appearance money on that night, will
compete in match races to the value of 100 pounds, and have the possibility of
winning other prizes. Mr. Hoskins will act as adviser to the promoters.”
During the interview, Hoskins mentioned the visits to Australia of two
Englishmen – amateur motorcycle racer Lionel Wills, and Mr. A. J. Stevens, the
chief of the A.J.S. motorcycle firm.
Hoskins provided details of a recent letter Wills had sent him from London.
Following is a section of that communication: -
“There are 20 applications before the Auto-Cycle Union at present for permission
to conduct tracks. It appears that the greyhound coursing companies have got the
wind up about the proposals to suppress betting and there is much support for
the dirt tracks. It is evident that there will be an enormous scope for good
riders. It is pleasing to note that the A.C.U. is going to insist on safe tracks
and free and open racing and clean sport.”
Mention is also made in the newspaper article of the successful staging of the
initial High Beech meeting in England during February of 1928, and the resulting
rush to open other venues at which this new sport could be staged.
On Tuesday April 10th 1928, Hoskins sailed on the Oronsay.
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Just clarifying one point – At the time Hoskins gave the above
interview, the opening meeting at Crystal Palace was scheduled for the date he
mentioned, May 12. However, the first meeting at that track actually took place
a week later. |
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The following press release is dated Perth, April 11.
“Mr. J. S. Hoskins, the manager and one of the directors of Speedways (W.A.)
Ltd., has been offered the management of the 10 or 12 tracks managed by the
largest combine in England, and Messrs. Datson, Schlam and Johnson will be
riding for him on those tracks. –Yours, etc. For W. A. Speedways, Limited.
J. D. Blyth, Secretary.”
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Johnnie Hoskins |
A letter from Hoskins arrived in Perth on May 1, 1928.
This communication was sent from Colombo during the Oronsay’s stopover: -
“Just crossing the line and all’s well. Sig Schlam and Ron Johnson are fighting
from dawn till dark. They wrestle round then till it’s time for breakfast and
off and on all day long they are at it. Half the time the passengers think they
are in deadly earnest. We are all in high glee. There are 13 speedsters on
board, including Spencer Stratton, who will probably join my team in England.
The nine Queensland boys include Vic Huxley, Frank Pearce and Frank Arthur. Then
there are Charlie Spinks, Hilary Buchanan, Ben Unwin, Noel Johnson, and a couple
of others whose names I cannot recall for the moment.
“We all go ashore to-morrow at Colombo and Sig and Ron say they are going to
ride a motor-bike if they have to steal one. Charlie Datson, Spencer Stratton
and I are going along as a body-guard to keep these two youngsters out of
mischief. We go overland from Toulon and save five days. We have a system of
physical exercises on board commencing at 6 a.m. and then again at 4 p.m., while
in the tropics. Later, the exercise will be doubled until the whole team is fit.
Then a week’s spell and they should be ready for anything. They all say they
will not shut off and it will be neck or nothing from the gun to the flag.” |
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On the evening of June 11, 1928, the mail boat Narkunda
departed Fremantle bound for England. Inspection of the passenger list for that
voyage reveals the following names:-
“ ……….. ; Mesdames …… C. Datson and S. Schlam and child; ……..” |
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Thanks to Ross Garrigan for this report. |
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