Hitchcocks Forum

Bit of a shot in the dark, but here goes...

Here's a link to a pic of my Mum when she was a Wren Dispatch Rider in 1941 - http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/2789/jwmd1941.jpg

I believe the bike is a model WD/CO made in about 1939, but can anyone confirm that for me? Also, anyone know of a surviving example?

Hello ROB D ------ this is my friend Tim's 1938 Enfield (not sure if it's an Ex-WD) which is regularly in use during the Summer months---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rob D, according to "British Forces Motorcycles 1925-45" (which you can take as the bible on the subject!) this is an early example of the WD/CO (the 350cc ohv model,) with many differences to later models and "more similar to the WD/L and WD/J2". Apparently the Navy took these bikes before the War Department generally adopted them. There are 2 batches listed, each of 50 machines and delivered to Chatham, Portsmouth, Devonport and Rosyth and RN stores at Preston between 22/3/41 and 15/7/41. Royal Enfield used shots of these Navy machines in publicity pictures at the time and the pic of your Gran does look quite posed!
REgards, Mark

Sorry, that should have been "your Mum"!
REgards, Mark