Speed King: Howard Raymond Davies

Howard Raymond Davies was born on 27 June 1895, at 351 Ladypool Road – the son of Frank and Bertha Davies (from Tipton and Dudley respectively). The house is still there today, now the premises of the PAK Property Centre. His family moved back to Tipton and then on to Wolverhampton and Howard attended the Municipal Grammar School where he excelled at sports such as swimming and horse-riding. Following school he joined local motorcycle manufacturers A.J. Stephens Ltd (A.J.S.) as an apprentice learning how to build and maintain motorcycles.

His interest developed in racing and after a short while he ended up at Sunbeam, based in Wolverhampton. Prior to the First World War Davies established himself with successful races, such as at the 1914 Isle of Man TT, where he came second and Sunbeam won the team prize. The same year he also won a gold cup at the Coventry and Warwick Club trials as well as silver for best sidecar performance. He joined the Royal Engineers in October 1914 and served for a year as a despatch rider. After a respite in England he received an Officer’s Commisson and a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps, serving as a pilot. Davies flew RE8 aircraft with 34 Squadron. While spotting enemy artillery he was shot down twice! On the first occasion he was able to land and made his own way back to British lines. The second time, in May 1917, both he and his “spotter”, Lieutenant J.R. Samuel, were captured at Karlsruhe and became prisoners of war. Both were initially listed as missing and then presumed killed in action. So certain seemed his death that an obituary appeared in the May 1917 issue of “Motor Cycling”. While incarcerated he attempted to escape several times, including by tunnel, but was re-captured in every instance. At the end of the war he was repatriated but then not demobilised until June 1919.

His first post-war job was with Aston Motor Accessories in Wolverhampton but moved on soon to AMAC Carburettors. He also began riding again part-time for AJS. He raced at the 1920 Isle of Man races but sadly had to retire early from both his events due to engine problems. Later in the year he also appeared for AJS the famous Brooklands circuit where incredibly he broke 14 track records. Howard was made Competitions Manager for the company, spending time assisting in machine development. This paid off as AJS enjoyed much success in 1921 with Howard himself winning the Senior Isle Of Man races and breaking his own records at Brooklands. The success proved shortlived though as a recurrence of engine problems in 1922/ 23 plagued the team. Howard left AJS and, following a brief period at Hutchinson tyres, he set up his own company – HRD Motors – in August 1924. Howard rode his own motorcycles at the 1925 Isle Of Man races, coming second in the Junior event and first in the Seniors. Sadly the company went into voluntary liquidation in January 1928. Following the closure of his business Howard spent his last working years at a variety of jobs in the industry at places such as Alvis and the Swallow and Coachbuilding Company in Coventry. Howard moved from Southbank Road in Kenilworth to Warwick Road in Chadwick End, Solihull. In retirement he attended many riders’ reunions where he was always a popular figure. He died at home in January 1973 of cancer, followed two days later by his wife Maisie. The couple had a joint funeral at Robin Hood Crematorium in Solihull. Some of Howard’s motorcycles can be seen on display at the National Motorcycle Museum where his status as a racing great is remembered.