Jump to content
British Speedway Forum

Kiwi Spencer "smokey" Stratton


dantodan

Recommended Posts

On my Newcastle website I have a picture of a 1920's Indian. Dave Gifford (remember him?) has been in touch about the bike and its possible original owner Giffy says: is it the bike once used by Kiwi Spencer "Smokey" Stratton? I understand that Stratton became Promoter or team manager at Newcastle after he quit riding and was killed in a road crash coming back from a meeting at Workington? Can you verify or give me any additional info? So! can anyone shed any light email me John

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On my Newcastle website I have a picture of a 1920's Indian. Dave Gifford (remember him?) has been in touch about the bike and its possible original owner Giffy says: is it the bike once used by Kiwi Spencer "Smokey" Stratton? I understand that Stratton became Promoter or team manager at Newcastle after he quit riding and was killed in a road crash coming back from a meeting at Workington? Can you verify or give me any additional info? So! can anyone shed any light email me John

 

There was an obituary in Speedway News June 11 1938. Basically confirms what you write, but dosen't specify the town where he crashed. He had been team manager of Johnnie Hoskins' Div.2 track at Newcastle. Before coming to England in 1928 he had crashed at Newcastle, NSW and been unconscious for 23 days. The article mentions his love of the "Indian" bikes.

Edited by TwoMinuteWarning
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Max Grosskreutz had in his Norwich programme of 11 June 1938 the following ..........

Everyone will join in our deep regret at the tragic death of Mr Spencer Stratton, the Manager of Newcastle, in a car crash whilst returning from a meeting.

There was also a mention that ........ Three Newcastle boys, Bruce Venier, Bob Sparks & Elwood Stillwell, were also seriously injured in the crash.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a newspaper report from Monday 6th June 1938 which says that Spencer Charles Stratton, aged 33, was killed in an head-on collision between two cars at Brigham, near Cockermouth (Cumberland) on Saturday nigh (4th June).

Three companions, Canadian riders were travelling with Stratton, were seriously injured, as were the occupants of the other car (John Roan, of Cockermouth, and G.O Smith, of Whitehaven), Stratton's injured companions were Ellwood Stillwell (28) Bruce Venier (21) and Robert Sparks (23), The five injured men were taken to Cockermouth hospital with severe head and face wounds.

Hope this is of some help to you in your research.

Flying Pig

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Privacy Policy