"Born on wheels": arthur lampkin
Motorcycles have always been in Arthur Lampkin's blood.
Hauled up in front of the Magistrate's Court in Skipton at the tender age of 15, Arthur was accused of riding on a public highway. His father, Arthur Sr., pleaded with judge stating:
"he was born on wheels"
.
As part of our oral history project, the Trust has been lucky enough to record a number of "citizen soldiers". These men spent their years of National Service at Ripon barracks.
Opposite:
A youthful Arthur on his motorcycle at Gandalf Camp, Catterick in 1957.
We were astonished to discover that the renowned moto-cross champion, Arthur Lampkin, had been stationed at Harper Barracks. We recently reminisced with Arthur about his time in the city.
Called up in January 1957, Arthur found himself billeted at Ripon, serving as an army dispatch rider instructor. One of his fondest memories includes zooming around the Laver Banks training area teaching Gurkhas to ride.
Arthur had become, at the age of 17, the youngest ever member of the 'Works' BSA off-road team. A prolific winner of trials events, he was able to continue competing during his two years of National Service.
The accompanying photo shows Arthur (third from the left), at a mere 19 years old, having triumphed in the 1958 Army Motorcycle Championship - the first time Ripon had won any cup!
Born on Wheels: Arthur Lampkin
RMHT, 30 Market Place West, Ripon HG4 1BN
Registered Charity No. 1203294
mail@riponmht.org
Built on DesDeck