Person
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10 Apr 1886-25 Aug 1965
American athlete who competed at the 1908 Olympic Games in London. Hayes won the gold medal for the Olympic marathon when Dorando Pietri was helped over the line by officials.
Person
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1867-1936
English editor, serial fiction writer and father of crime novelist Margery Allingham.
Person
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1881-23 Jun 1917
Cyclist, Service No. 1887, No. 8 Platoon, 2/25th London Regt. No. 2 Coy., 1/25th London Regt. B. Coy., 1/25th London Regt. 5th Platoon.
He succeeded in joining the 25th London Regiment at the end of November 1914, having been rejected several times on account of his eyes. Early in 1916 he went with his Battalion to India and died from wounds inflicted during a fight with insurgents on the NW frontier in the Waziristan campaign. Obituaries feature in the various Poly publications of the time, with comments such as: "He was a real brick, willing to do a good turn for everyone."
At the end of the war, it was proposed by the Poly Cycling Club to establish a Memorial Trophy in Gayler's name:
"It will of course be impossible to ever replace Bert Gayler in the hearts of those who had the luck to work with him and share his companionship, but it would seem very desirable that stpes should now be taken to show our appreciation of his good work by endeavouring to perpetuate his memory for all time by means of a Memorial Trophy bearing his name.... Is not the time ripe for an "Open 12" on the North Road, and would it not be well to associate Bert Gayler's name with a classic "open" on the road he loved so much?"
By July 1919 the Gayler Memorial Fund had raised £60-4-6 and the conditions of the Trophy had been finalised:
The Trophy shall be named 'The Gayler Memorial Trophy' and it shall be a perpetual Trophy in memory of all the Club members who laid down their lives in the Great War 1914-1918. It was to be awarded annually, to the rider who covers the greatest distance in a twelve-hour unpaced road ride on a single machine. The competition was open to all amateur members of the PCC and other cyling clubs. The first winner, on 23 August 1919, was M G Selbach.
Bert Gayler joined the Polytechnic Cycling Club in 1909, becoming Hon General Secretary in 1913. In 1909 Gayler completed the "50" in 2h30m1s; in 1914 he completed the "50" in 2h19m30s with an average speed of 21.5 miles per hour. His last "50" was an army event, promoted by his Battalion in which he made the fastest time, being attired in full army uniform and marching boots. His time was 2h49m54s. Gayler's record for the Poly was the "12" at 223 1/4 miles (unbroken until 1928). He also held the world record in 1917 for an out and home "12". Gayler's last season was in 1914, in which he completed the "25" in 1h7m53s. He was also the first man to win the NCU Gold Proficiency badge for breaking 5h4m for 100 miles.
Competed in the 1912 Stockholm Olympic games.
Buried at Kandiwam, Waziristan N.W.F. India. H H Gayler's name is included on a brass tablet was erected in the church at Jullundur, India, in memory of the men killed at Waziristan.
Person
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1872-12 Feb 1956
A E Walters, known familiarly as "Jenny", joined the Polytechnic Cycling Club (PCC) on 20th June 1892. His address at the time was 48 Carnaby Street, just off Regent Street in London's West End. Records show that Walters paid an annual membership subscription of 10 shillings.
The University Archive holds an album of press cuttings and photographs relating to the career of AE Walters (ACC2001/10). It covers his most successful period, 1899-1901 when he was world champion at long distance endurance racing. On 8th and 9th July 1899 Walters won the coveted Bol d'Or in Paris. This was a paced 24 hour endurance event founded in 1894. Riders were paced by tandems or triplets and in 1899 they introduced pacing by electric tandems for the first time. Walters won with a world record time of 1020km 977m (634miles, 1710yards). The Bol d'or was raced annually until 1950 and in all its history, Walters was the only British winner. His time was not beaten until 1925 by Opperman in Australia. The victory is well-reported in both the French and British press of the time.
Interestingly, Walters appears to have been as well-regarded in France as he was at home, with the following article translated from Le Vélo, November 16th 1899: "Jenny Walters is the marvel of 1899, having won all the important races in which he has entered, there being ten firsts among his list of successes and has won in the aggregate 50,000 francs. May a good voyage, a rest and safe return see him next year back
with us and with his friends the Parisian public, who admire his straightforward and genuine methods, which have made him so popular in the professional side of cycling."
On his return to the UK that winter, Walters was guest of honour at a special dinner organised by the PCC to celebrate his successful season. It is reported that: "Jenny as he is familiarly called by his friends, is anything but boastful, has a good head and is a real good plucked 'un - three very desirable qualities in a champion."
In 1900 Walters was again racing professionally in Europe. On 13th May he won the 4-day International Race in Berlin with a distance of 372 miles and 812 yards; and in August he won the 100km race in Paris. The Cyclist of 12th September 1900 reports: "Walters seems to be in the pink of condition. He has trained specially in view of the big trophy; he has shown that he now possesses pace and stamina in the right proportion; he has undergone a special course in training with plenty of road work thrown into it; he is gifted with a bull-dog pluck, with true British grit."
In November 1900 leading members of the PCC had their photograph taken. Mindful of the absent Jenny, they insisted on posing with a large photograph of him in the centre of the group.
The Cyclist of November 24th 1900 published a table of "Records to Date". Walters is listed as holding the following World Records:
6 hours - 183m 879 yds, won at Auteuil, Paris 15-16th September 1900
12 hours - 349m 1447yds, won at Auteuil, Paris 15-16th September 1900
24 hours - 634m 1710 yds, won at Autueil, Paris 8-9th July 1899 (stood for 35 years)
And the following Road Records:
50 miles paced - 1h 55m 50s
12 hours paced tandem with M A HOLBEIN - 230 miles
In March 1901 comes the surprise announcement that Walters is retiring from professional competition. The news reported in Cycling News as follows: "Walters retires a champion, which few men have the strength of mind to do. It is safe to say "Jenny" will be as much missed abroad as at home, for he possessed the reputation of being thoroughly "straight" and one of the gamest riders who ever set on racing tyres."
Further details appeared in the press: "Unlike the many champions who retire yearly, Walters has thoroughly considered matters before making his announcement public, and bearing in mind the fact that he cannot be a champion for ever, and also that he has close on ten years of hard racing, he prefers to retire at the top of the racing ladder and now devote his energies in another direction, vis. That of running a high class tailoring establishment in Regent Street where he will be assisted by his brother, who is one of the leading West End cutters. Walters spent a good deal of time in the tailoring business before turning professional."
Walters disappeared from public view after this date. However, he continued his membership of the Polytechnic Cycling Club, supporting club fixtures and attending the annual dinner each winter. In November 1925 he is elected one of 25 Vice-Presidents of the Club, a title he retained until his death.
In January 1931 he generously presented the Club with one of his own trophies - the Molinari Cup - to be awarded annually to the Polytechnic members showing the best average time in open road events of 25, 50 and 100 miles and 12 hours. It is noted that the shield is to perpetuate AE Walters' name and therefore cannot be given outright.
The Polytechnic Cycling Gazette of April 1956 announced the death of Walters who passed away on February 12th at his home in Hayes, Kent in his 84th year. The obituary reads: "When he descended to the safety machine he became the fastest long distance rider on both road and path in the world. After many successful years as an amateur, he became professional, racing all over Europe, amassing some wealth. His win in the Bol d'or 24 hour path race was a marvellous feat, his record stood for 35 years . Walters went into trade as a tailor in Abermarle Street but gave up the business when the lease ran out. If I was asked who was the most honest and modest racing cyclist my instant reply would be Jenny. He was a fellow member of the F.O.T.C. and on the previous Saturday to his death, after a committee meeting of the Fellowship in Covent Garden, I walked with him to Charing Cross Station, little knowing it would be the last farewell he would have.
Person
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7 Oct 1920-14 Aug 1996
Person
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d.1990
Allum was a carpenter by profession and served in the Royal Navy during WW2. After his retirement from the St Pancras Borough Council Clerk of the Works Office, he joined the Ealing Bowling Club and the Ealing Philanthropic Society. He ran a Social Club for local retired folk and was instrumental in arranging the programme of events.
Allum joined the Polytechnic in 1937. He was an active member of the Poly Rambling Club, becoming Joint Secretary first with Harold Small, then Vic Russell. Served on the Men's Council, becoming Secretary. Elected an Associate and appointed as Governors' Nominee on the Council. Active member of the Poly Christian Fellowship, serving as Secretary. Member of Kynaston Studd Lodge and Quintinian Chapter.
'His wholehearted commitment in everything he did and his meticulous attention to detail set the hallmark on his life given to the service of others.'
Person
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1888-26 Jan 1950
Not a racing man like Ernie and Harry Ryan, but was a born entertainer, full of good humour and vitality, who was the finest actor in the PCC Pantomimes. He came to the pantomimes by accident. Shortly before the 1929-1930 Pantomime "Bluebeard", Vic Andrews who had rehearsed as one of the bailiffs, skidded on his bicycle and broke his arm. Will offered to step in and when straight on stage, gagged through the performance and stole the show. The following year he was cast as one of the Robbers in "Babes in the Wood" and then we really saw how a Panto bad man should be played. He had a fine robust performance and a good voice and played his parts with whole-hearted enthusiasm.Will and Taffy DAVIES were execellent foils to each other and it was their work together which set the standard for later shows.
Person
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1881-23 Oct 1917
First started riding with the Lyric CC about 1899. Joined the PCC soon after and was a strong rider, although he never achieved the success of his brothers on the path.
Fitter Staff-Sergt. R.F.A. Died of wounds aged 36 on 23rd October 1917 serving with 327 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. he is buried in plot IV. I. 9.of TALANA FARM CEMETERY near Ypres. He was a member of the Polytechnic Cycling Club.
Great friendship with Charlie Haysom.
Person
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d.18 Dec 1916
Killed in action aged 24 on 18th December 1916 whilst serving with 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment. He is buried in plot II. A. 18 of Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Hem. He became a member of the Polytechnic in December 1907 giving his occupation as Book Trade. He was a member of the Polytechnic Cycling Club. He joined the Middlesex regiment in October 1914 serving abroad at Gallipolli for a year before being invalided home. On recovery he went to France where he was killed.
His racing career was one of perserverence and great pluck from the start. When he first joined the Club he was by no means a flier, and on Club runs could not even hang onto the crowd, but this did not daunt him. In order to get fit he went for long rides 'on his own' and ultimately ranked as one of the fastest of the Poly riders. Results include 1st in Handicap in the Club '100' with 16 min start, in 4.57.43 in Jul 1913. "All those who came into personal contact with him found him a cheerful and energetic companion - honest and straightforward in his racing." Joined the 10th Middlesex Regt. during Oct 1914 and was among the first to be sent to the Dardanelles.
Died on the Western Front. Buried at Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Hem (II.A.18).
Person
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21 Aug 1884-15 May 1915
Ashley Herbert Arbuthnot was born in Paddington, London on August 21st 1884 to Herbert Robinson, a foreign banker and East India Merchant and Evelyn Mary Arbuthnot of Ockley in Surrey.
He was educated at Eton and New College, Oxford. At Eton he was in the Sixth Form and rowed in the Eton eight of 1903. At Oxford he took honours in history, rowed in his college boat, which was head of the river, and only just missed his rowing Blue for the Varsity. From Oxford he went into business in the City, and in 1911 was admitted to partnership in the firm of Arbuthnot, Latham it Co.
In 1907 he threw in his lot with the Poly as guide, counsellor and friend of the Rowing Section, and most helpful was his coaching and example. When Major Hoare organised a Poly Company for the "Rangers, " it was to Captain Arbuthnot (then Second Lieutenant) and Captain Studd he turned for help as fellow officers. In 1909 the company was started, and the trio united in a labour which was to count for so much in the crisis of their nation's fate. He was promoted to Captain in August 1914.
Captain Arbuthnot, in addition to an active membership of St. Matthew's Church, Bayswater, and the Y.M.C.A. work at Tichborne Street, had his own class of young men. These met at his own house every Sunday afternoon. They were welcomed there on week evenings as well. Their welfare, temporal and spiritual, was ever present with him, and when the nation's call for men came, of the thirty-nine boys whose names were on the books, thirty responded; fifteen of these joined the " Rangers," and eight were in the Poly company with him on foreign service. On December 23rd, 1914, he accompanied the Rangers to France, and his doings in the regiment are known by the extracts from letters which have appeared in the Magazine from time to time—the extract in the May number on page 105, headed " Attack under Heavy Fire, " was from his pen. He loved his men, mourned their loss, and wrote messages of sympathy and help to the mourners at home, which will ever be prized.
On May 4th, Captain Arbuthnot was seriously wounded by a shell in the head and arm near Ypres, Belgium. Lieutenant George Rickett, on coming up to take command, found him in great pain. George, without hesitation, gave him his own morphia and called for volunteers to carry the Captain to the Ambulance Hospital, two miles distant. Four men, one of whom was one of Captain Arbuthnot's own 'boys' instantly came forward and bore him at great personal risk to safety and skilled attention. He was sent on to the third general hospital at
Le Treport, Dieppe; but in spite of the utmost that skill, care and attention could do, Captain Arbuthnot answered the call "Home" on the evening of May 15th.
He was buried with military honours on May 17th in the little cemetery for British and Canadian officers and men at Le Treport.
[Taken from the Polytechnic Magazine, June 1915]