Relaying History

The speed of these machines isn’t what catches the eye, it’s the unrivalled realism

- Edward James

Since 1966, I have been an avid motorcycle driver and owner of several different bikes. During the ’80s, I came across a military article on the role of Canadian army dispatch riders (DR) in WWI and WWII. The article spoke about their training regime here in Canada, the type of bikes they drove and the vital role they played in delivering battlefield messages from the frontline to rear command centres.

Being a long-time motorcyclist and collector, it seemed like a natural fit for me to pursue this as a new installment for my collection. I was always on the lookout for WWII motorcycles. In fact, if I had been born in the late ’30s I would have been old enough to buy one of the many army surplus bikes that went for sale in 1946. Unfortunately, I wasn’t and had to resort to Plan B—to build a replica by using a contemporary bike frame, motor and wheels and slowly add modern reproductions of actual WWII parts. This plan was to be carried out by a very talented British motorcycle mechanic and builder who lived in a nearby city. It was simply too difficult to get my hands on authentic bikes, so all of my dispatch motorcycles are well-built replicas that have suited my projects over the years.

With the help of historic military photos, appropriate parts, and the right colour paint and markings, my bikes are very convincing. In all my years of doing the Dispatch Rider presentation, very few people have been able to tell the difference. However, those who could often commented on the good job.