Swap meet find 1942 Inter

[motto]

Unfortunately I can't read your attachments Tony. When I try enlarging they just get more blurred.
My father was a despatch rider for a time in WW2 or 'Don R' as they were called. When he was in camp at Albert Park, Melbourne early in the war part of his duty was to prepare compulsorily acquired civilian motorcycles for army service.
I recall him saying that the owners were offered five pounds (IIRC) to relinquish all rights to the vehicle or take the option of having it returned at the cessation of hostilities.
In the event I understand that new replacement motorcycles were supplied to those owners at the end of the war that had opted for return though I don't know the source of that information.

David

[hrpearce]

Originally Posted by motto

Unfortunately I can't read your attachments Tony. When I try enlarging they just get more blurred.

David

David, right click on picture and open in another window it is easy to read.

[Tony Wheeler]

David the newsprint itself may be illegible but the electronically translated text should be clear. It's easily readable on my screen without enlargement. Alternatively you could access the article directly on Trove: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/8175927

Great that your father was a Don R which as motorcycle enthusiast I've always considered the best job in the Army - provided of course you're not getting shot at!

[motto]

Aah! Thanks fellows, I knew how to do it but had forgotten that I knew.
Seeing as you're interested in army motor cycling Tony, here's a bit more about dad. In the camp at Albert Park were speedway, scramble and stunt riders, a high spirited lot some of whom I met at post war reunions dad attended. The best known was a speedway rider named Bernie Mac who was somewhat of a legend.They got up to all sorts of tricks. Dads time as a Don R was cut short however when he ran into the rear end of a Dodge Command Car in the Northern Territory. The Dodge, belonging to a Yank outfit, overtook him on a dirt road and stopped in the dust cloud. Everything was against the man on the motorcycle, even the colour of the Dodge, he didn't see it until it was too late. He suffered leg and back trouble for the rest of his life.
We both bought ex army WLA Harleys in the early 70s. I paid $65 for mine and still have it. Dad paid $150 for his and only sold it a few months before he died at the age of 93 in 2012. I have fond memories of riding together, he was a better rider than I ever could be.

David

[Tony Wheeler]

Great stories David, I can well believe those Don R types were a special breed! Bad luck about the Dodge in the dust cloud but sounds like your dad never lost his passion for riding. Fabulous that he wound up on a WLA Harley again but you're killing me with those '70s disposal prices! Can you post some pics of your bike? I'm thinking we may need a new thread for some serious motorcycle discussion on MLU!