Hi John
Jim Henry gave me your website yesterday & I looked through it
last night & even for someone who isn’t into bikes, speedway
etc, it is an absolutely fascinating site & I was enthralled &
it has made me want to learn more.
His full
formal name is William Edward Hopkins but he usually went by
Eddie Hopkins & is from St Athan/West Aberthaw & I spotted him
in some of the Cardiff White City programmes under his full
name.
I could see by the pencil notations re results etc that he was
quite good!!
He also seems to be in the Caerphilly ones but under E
Hopkins.
I was
even looking at the 2 photos to see if I could glean any more
info & realised one of the bikes he is on is ‘The James’ so
was fascinated to read all about the different bikes on your
site!
So I will very gladly send the 2 photos I have.
We
weren’t even aware that Uncle Eddie did the Speedwell racing
until we received some old family photos from another Uncle
who had passed away. The only living sibling is my Mother who
was 30 years younger than Eddie & she had never seen the
photos before but said ‘oh yes, Eddie used to do speedwell
racing’ which was such a surprise to us & we were amazed she
hadn’t mentioned it before as we have been doing the family
history for some years!
So I will send the photos, one has
2 riders & Eddie is the rider on the right. Would love to know
whether the track is Cardiff & who the other rider is & is the
bike Eddie is on there, still The James.
The other photo is more of a pose, probably pre race & again,
would love to know where this is.
In fact, would love to know anything more about his racing
etc.
I can’t seem to find him after 1932, so wondered if he stopped
racing & why. He was born in 1906 so was in his late 20’s.
I will need to look up when he
married, to see if he stopped after that, maybe his wife
thought it was too dangerous a sport, who knows!
I will also contact a couple of
other cousins to see if they have any more photos etc.
Thankyou so much for contacting me
& as I say, your website is truly incredible!
Liz
