In the first ACU Northern Cup competition, held at the Marine Gardens on 11 July, Edinburgh were defeated by Newcastle by five points after a very close contest.
Hart, the Edinburgh captain, opened the scoring with a fine win in the fast time of 1 min 20 and one fifth secs.
The home team took the lead in the second heat, scoring 4 points to the visitors 2.
In heat four Hart again won in 1 min 20 and one fifth secs, but a splendid piece of team riding by George Pepper and Kid Curtis of Newcastle brought the teams level.
The visitors fell behind again in the next heat, the score reading Newcastle 16, Edinburgh 20, but drew level again in heat eight.
Pepper and Curtis took maximum points in the next heat, but Hart and Tidbury put up a similar performance for Edinburgh in heat ten and the scores read 30-30. This win completed Hart’s individual maximum points for the team races. Incidentally he was the only rider to do this.
It was not until heat twelve, with Syd Littlewood’s victory, that Newcastle regained the lead. Edinburgh never made up the lost ground and Newcastle maintained the lead, to finish 5 points ahead. The outstanding riders in the Newcastle team were Syd Littlewood and Maurice Stobart.
The Marine Gardens
Under ideal weather conditions the largest crowd seen that season at the Marine Gardens was kept at a high pitch of excitement on 18 July by the magnificent riding of Cordy Milne, who won the Marine Gardens track championship. Milne’s riding was consistent throughout and along with Bill Kitchen he scored 14 points, only one short of the possible.
The elimination process was by means of points, the four riders gaining the highest number over 20 heats qualifying for the final. The riders appearing were representative of practically every track in Britain, some of them being entrants for the World Speedway Championship.
In heat one Evans equalled the track record and Lungo, the local rider, who was deputising for Greenwood, rode a magnificent race for second place, keeping out such men as Garland and Bravery.
The first casualty of the evening was in the second race. Hyland and Chapman were fighting for the lead, with Hart a close third. On rounding the bottom bend Hyland attempted to pass Chapman and came down heavily. He was carried off and was reported to be suffering from concussion and was unable to ride for the rest of the meeting.
Milne encountered his only defeat at the hands of Bill Kitchen, who set up a new track record, his time being 1 min 18 and one fifth secs. The original track record of 1 min 20 secs was broken no fewer than six times.
Kitchen’s fast time put the crowd on their toes and when he again put up a fast time against Evans in heat five he immediately became first favourite for the trophy. In this race Evans gained the advantage of the lead and looked like holding it when, in a magnificent display of anticipation, Kitchen outwitted Evans to win comfortably.
Hart, the popular Edinburgh rider won his second race and Milne did likewise. Packer showed a return to his old form when defeating Chapman and Whitfield easily in the good time of 1 min 19 and four fifth secs. Milne, by defeating Hart, took second place.
In heat ten Packer again rose to the occasion by riding a thrilling race against Hansen. Packer lost a footrest in this race but despite this handicap he managed to hold his lead.
The most thrilling event of the night culminated in the first defeat of Bill Kitchen by Oliver Hart. As usual Kitchen got well away, but Hart, by magnificent cornering, snatched the lead. Kitchen made a last minute spurt but the Edinburgh man had the advantage and won in the surpisingly slow time of 1 min 22 and two fifth secs.
The last of the heats were run off without any outstanding incidents. Evans, Kitchen, Hart and Milne recording easy victories.
An unfortunate incident occurred in heat 19 when Parkinson, over eager at the start, tore down the standing tapes and was disqualified under ACU ruling.
The line up for the final read Milne, 14 points. Kitchen 14 points. Hart 13 points and Evans 12 points. Getting quickly away, Kitchen took the lead with the other riders bunched together behind him. He was not in front for long, however, as Milne, cutting through the field, slipped into the lead and stayed there until the end. The Edinburgh man was unfortunate enough to over slide but he suffered no serious injury.
The elimination process was by means of points, the four riders gaining the highest number over 20 heats qualifying for the final. The riders appearing were representative of practically every track in Britain, some of them being entrants for the World Speedway Championship.
In heat one Evans equalled the track record and Lungo, the local rider, who was deputising for Greenwood, rode a magnificent race for second place, keeping out such men as Garland and Bravery.
The first casualty of the evening was in the second race. Hyland and Chapman were fighting for the lead, with Hart a close third. On rounding the bottom bend Hyland attempted to pass Chapman and came down heavily. He was carried off and was reported to be suffering from concussion and was unable to ride for the rest of the meeting.
Milne encountered his only defeat at the hands of Bill Kitchen, who set up a new track record, his time being 1 min 18 and one fifth secs. The original track record of 1 min 20 secs was broken no fewer than six times.
Kitchen’s fast time put the crowd on their toes and when he again put up a fast time against Evans in heat five he immediately became first favourite for the trophy. In this race Evans gained the advantage of the lead and looked like holding it when, in a magnificent display of anticipation, Kitchen outwitted Evans to win comfortably.
Hart, the popular Edinburgh rider won his second race and Milne did likewise. Packer showed a return to his old form when defeating Chapman and Whitfield easily in the good time of 1 min 19 and four fifth secs. Milne, by defeating Hart, took second place.
In heat ten Packer again rose to the occasion by riding a thrilling race against Hansen. Packer lost a footrest in this race but despite this handicap he managed to hold his lead.
The most thrilling event of the night culminated in the first defeat of Bill Kitchen by Oliver Hart. As usual Kitchen got well away, but Hart, by magnificent cornering, snatched the lead. Kitchen made a last minute spurt but the Edinburgh man had the advantage and won in the surpisingly slow time of 1 min 22 and two fifth secs.
The last of the heats were run off without any outstanding incidents. Evans, Kitchen, Hart and Milne recording easy victories.
An unfortunate incident occurred in heat 19 when Parkinson, over eager at the start, tore down the standing tapes and was disqualified under ACU ruling.
The line up for the final read Milne, 14 points. Kitchen 14 points. Hart 13 points and Evans 12 points. Getting quickly away, Kitchen took the lead with the other riders bunched together behind him. He was not in front for long, however, as Milne, cutting through the field, slipped into the lead and stayed there until the end. The Edinburgh man was unfortunate enough to over slide but he suffered no serious injury.
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In their second ACU Northern Cup match on 25 July the Edinburgh team defeated Glasgow by 29 points.
This big win was due to the splendid riding of George Greenwood and the crafty team riding of Hart and Hyland. Edinburgh seemed to have no real opposition at all, Glasgow only recording one win.
In the first heat Edinburgh’s new captain, Greenwood, finished in splendid style but the Edinburgh second man was left. The home side took the lead in heat 2, Hart and Hyland finishing first and second respectively. The new captain again increased Edinburgh’s lead in heat 4 and the score then stood Edinburgh 17 Glasgow 7.
A serious looking crash occurred in heat 6 when Packer, trying to head Lowther on the bottom bend, crashed into the Glasgow man. Another rider, Crowther, in trying to avoid the two fallen men, crashed into the fence and also came off. Lowther remounted and finished second.
At the 7th heat Edinburgh were leading by 21 points, Hart and Greenwood having completed their hat tricks.
A thrilling race was run in heat 9 when the Edinburgh pair, Chapman and Packer, were left at the start. Fighting hard and manoeuvring cleverly, Chapman held on to the leader and skilfully gained a well deserved victory.
Greenwood’s win in heat 10 and Hart’s win in heat 11 saw them both complete maximum points and at the same time gave Glasgow no chance of drawing level.
The remaining heats were all won by Edinburgh and the home team finished their first ACU Cup win with the splendid score of Edinburgh 56 points, Glasgow 27 points.
The opening heats of the Scottish Silver Torch were quite uneventful. Greenwood, Hyland and Hart having easy runs to qualify for the final. Greenwood was quickly away but Hart fought his way through the field and, cornering with magnificent skill, he forced his way to the lead and held on, to win the best race of the night.
This big win was due to the splendid riding of George Greenwood and the crafty team riding of Hart and Hyland. Edinburgh seemed to have no real opposition at all, Glasgow only recording one win.
In the first heat Edinburgh’s new captain, Greenwood, finished in splendid style but the Edinburgh second man was left. The home side took the lead in heat 2, Hart and Hyland finishing first and second respectively. The new captain again increased Edinburgh’s lead in heat 4 and the score then stood Edinburgh 17 Glasgow 7.
A serious looking crash occurred in heat 6 when Packer, trying to head Lowther on the bottom bend, crashed into the Glasgow man. Another rider, Crowther, in trying to avoid the two fallen men, crashed into the fence and also came off. Lowther remounted and finished second.
At the 7th heat Edinburgh were leading by 21 points, Hart and Greenwood having completed their hat tricks.
A thrilling race was run in heat 9 when the Edinburgh pair, Chapman and Packer, were left at the start. Fighting hard and manoeuvring cleverly, Chapman held on to the leader and skilfully gained a well deserved victory.
Greenwood’s win in heat 10 and Hart’s win in heat 11 saw them both complete maximum points and at the same time gave Glasgow no chance of drawing level.
The remaining heats were all won by Edinburgh and the home team finished their first ACU Cup win with the splendid score of Edinburgh 56 points, Glasgow 27 points.
The opening heats of the Scottish Silver Torch were quite uneventful. Greenwood, Hyland and Hart having easy runs to qualify for the final. Greenwood was quickly away but Hart fought his way through the field and, cornering with magnificent skill, he forced his way to the lead and held on, to win the best race of the night.
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For the second week in succession the Edinburgh team returned a substantial home win when they defeated Sheffield in the ACU Northern Cup competition by nine points.
The Edinburgh captain George Greenwood once again scored maximum points and up to that date he was the only home rider whose points percentage was 100 per cent.
The home team started off well with a grand win for their captain who led all the way in the fast time of 1 min 19 secs.
The second heat was a chapter of accidents for Edinburgh. Hart was thrown from his machine as the tapes went up and Hyland came off on the bottom bend, leaving the Sheffield riders to cruise home for the points.
Packer and Chapman made amends in the next heat and placed Edinburgh on the lead. Chapman put up a great fight for second place, displacing Bronco Dixon on the line.
Edinburgh still held the lead after heat five despite the defeat of Hart who had to give best to Evans. Chapman gave the crowd a real thrill in heat six. The Sheffield men were quickly away, with McLachlan in the lead, when Chapman, with magnificent cornering fought his way o the front to record a fine win.
A bad looking collision occurred in heat seven when Greenwood over slid into Birtwell, bringing the latter down. Powell, following behind, crashed into both the fallen riders and it appeared as though all three riders were seriously injured. Birtwell, however, was the only stretcher case and he, on being examined by the doctor, was found to have sustained a fractured leg. This rider had also been unfortunate at Glasgow on the previousSaturday night where he sustained concussion. In the re-run of this race, Greenwood won easily from Bronco Dixon to increase Edinburgh’s points to 23 with Sheffield 18.
Chapman again thrilled the crowd in heat eight when he put up a terrific fight against Ernie Evans, but he was just beaten for speed.
Greenwood completed his maximum points in heat ten, Sheffield taking second and third places, but this result was received with mixed feelings by the crowd, who were of the opinion that the other Edinburgh man had been bored out of position.
Packer and Lungo definitely settled the decision in favour of the home team in heat twelve when they took first and second places respectively. With another convincing win, Chapman put Edinburgh's final score up to 46, to give the home team a good win by nine points.
A highlight of the meeting was the reserves’ race in which a great struggle took place between Lungo and Plant. With a grand effort Lungo held on to Plant for three laps and passed him on the bottom bend to win a magnificent race.
In the Scottish Gold Helmet event the Edinburgh captain George Greenwood had to withdraw owing to engine trouble. Chapman, Packer and Hart qualified easily for the final and the fastest loser was McLachlan. Packer went into the lead and looked like holding it when Chapman, with a great effort, forced his machine to the front to win a splendid race, Hart finishing a good second.
The Edinburgh captain George Greenwood once again scored maximum points and up to that date he was the only home rider whose points percentage was 100 per cent.
The home team started off well with a grand win for their captain who led all the way in the fast time of 1 min 19 secs.
The second heat was a chapter of accidents for Edinburgh. Hart was thrown from his machine as the tapes went up and Hyland came off on the bottom bend, leaving the Sheffield riders to cruise home for the points.
Packer and Chapman made amends in the next heat and placed Edinburgh on the lead. Chapman put up a great fight for second place, displacing Bronco Dixon on the line.
Edinburgh still held the lead after heat five despite the defeat of Hart who had to give best to Evans. Chapman gave the crowd a real thrill in heat six. The Sheffield men were quickly away, with McLachlan in the lead, when Chapman, with magnificent cornering fought his way o the front to record a fine win.
A bad looking collision occurred in heat seven when Greenwood over slid into Birtwell, bringing the latter down. Powell, following behind, crashed into both the fallen riders and it appeared as though all three riders were seriously injured. Birtwell, however, was the only stretcher case and he, on being examined by the doctor, was found to have sustained a fractured leg. This rider had also been unfortunate at Glasgow on the previousSaturday night where he sustained concussion. In the re-run of this race, Greenwood won easily from Bronco Dixon to increase Edinburgh’s points to 23 with Sheffield 18.
Chapman again thrilled the crowd in heat eight when he put up a terrific fight against Ernie Evans, but he was just beaten for speed.
Greenwood completed his maximum points in heat ten, Sheffield taking second and third places, but this result was received with mixed feelings by the crowd, who were of the opinion that the other Edinburgh man had been bored out of position.
Packer and Lungo definitely settled the decision in favour of the home team in heat twelve when they took first and second places respectively. With another convincing win, Chapman put Edinburgh's final score up to 46, to give the home team a good win by nine points.
A highlight of the meeting was the reserves’ race in which a great struggle took place between Lungo and Plant. With a grand effort Lungo held on to Plant for three laps and passed him on the bottom bend to win a magnificent race.
In the Scottish Gold Helmet event the Edinburgh captain George Greenwood had to withdraw owing to engine trouble. Chapman, Packer and Hart qualified easily for the final and the fastest loser was McLachlan. Packer went into the lead and looked like holding it when Chapman, with a great effort, forced his machine to the front to win a splendid race, Hart finishing a good second.
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On 8 August the Scottish speedway championship was won by the American rider Wilbur Lamoreau (Wimbledon) who rode magnificently throughout the heats and in the final. Sir Harry Lauder, who was present, handed over the Scottish Gold Helmet which was won outright.
The meeting was not what could be called a thrilling one. No records were broken. There were few close finishes. Hart was the only Edinburgh rider to gain an award, Greenwood, the Edinburgh captain being unfortunate with engine trouble.
Easy victories were recorded in the opening heats by the respective winners and it was not until heat five that there was a really close race. Here Bob Harrison (Belle Vue) out manoeuvred Wilbur Lamoreau and returned a surprise win.
Much to the crowd’s disappointment, the Edinburgh favourite Oliver Hart was narrowly defeated by Eric Langton in heat 6, the home rider going wide at the bends and allowing the Belle Vue man to slip inside.
However Hart came out in heat 9 and had a smashing win over Ernie Evans. This gave Hart his first win of the evening. Bill Kitchen suffered his first defeat of the meeting at the hands of Wilbur Lamoreau who took the lead at the start and held on, but the Belle Vue man, however, came out again in the next heat and won a magnificent race against George Pepper.
The superb riding of Langton in heat 15 was greatly appreciated by the big crowd. He held on to Bob Harrison and, with splendid anticipation, passed him to win. The points leaders at this stage were Kitchen, Lamoreau, Langton and Hart.
Langton increased his score at the expense of Bill Kitchen in heat 17 and made sure of his place in the final.
Once again Hart gave a fine display in heat 19 when he easily accounted for Parker and Pepper.
The meeting was not what could be called a thrilling one. No records were broken. There were few close finishes. Hart was the only Edinburgh rider to gain an award, Greenwood, the Edinburgh captain being unfortunate with engine trouble.
Easy victories were recorded in the opening heats by the respective winners and it was not until heat five that there was a really close race. Here Bob Harrison (Belle Vue) out manoeuvred Wilbur Lamoreau and returned a surprise win.
Much to the crowd’s disappointment, the Edinburgh favourite Oliver Hart was narrowly defeated by Eric Langton in heat 6, the home rider going wide at the bends and allowing the Belle Vue man to slip inside.
However Hart came out in heat 9 and had a smashing win over Ernie Evans. This gave Hart his first win of the evening. Bill Kitchen suffered his first defeat of the meeting at the hands of Wilbur Lamoreau who took the lead at the start and held on, but the Belle Vue man, however, came out again in the next heat and won a magnificent race against George Pepper.
The superb riding of Langton in heat 15 was greatly appreciated by the big crowd. He held on to Bob Harrison and, with splendid anticipation, passed him to win. The points leaders at this stage were Kitchen, Lamoreau, Langton and Hart.
Langton increased his score at the expense of Bill Kitchen in heat 17 and made sure of his place in the final.
Once again Hart gave a fine display in heat 19 when he easily accounted for Parker and Pepper.
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Edinburgh again scored a smashing victory in another ACU Northern Cup match on 15 August, when they defeated Belle Vue by 28 points, the final score being Edinburgh 56 points, Belle Vue 28 points.
The home team were superior in every way and never allowed the visitors to come anywhere near leading. Edinburgh’s outstanding riders were Greenwood and Hart who both completed maximum points.
Edinburgh riders continued their successes in the heats of the Scottish Silver Gauntlet race when Greenwood, Hyland and Chapman won their heats easily, the fourth winner being Stan Lemon of Belle Vue. With a quick start, Greenwood and Chapman got away together. Fighting it out on the bend, Chapman gained the lead and held on to win a magnificent race.
The home team were superior in every way and never allowed the visitors to come anywhere near leading. Edinburgh’s outstanding riders were Greenwood and Hart who both completed maximum points.
Edinburgh riders continued their successes in the heats of the Scottish Silver Gauntlet race when Greenwood, Hyland and Chapman won their heats easily, the fourth winner being Stan Lemon of Belle Vue. With a quick start, Greenwood and Chapman got away together. Fighting it out on the bend, Chapman gained the lead and held on to win a magnificent race.
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In the international speedway match between Scotland and England held on 22 August, the home team had an easy victory, the final score being Scotland 51 points, England 32 points.
The Scots took matters well in hand after the first heat. Ernie Evans, the English captain was the only rider to gain maximum points but his fine effort was wasted by the lack of good supporting men on his side. Hart and Greenwood were the best of the Scottish side only losing 3 points between them. George Greenwood’s superb cornering gave him the verdict in his first Silver Torch heat when he defeated the Glasgow rider Gruff Garland. The final, however, was all Evans. Quickly away, he held on to his fine lead, with Hart following, and finished well in front.
The Scots took matters well in hand after the first heat. Ernie Evans, the English captain was the only rider to gain maximum points but his fine effort was wasted by the lack of good supporting men on his side. Hart and Greenwood were the best of the Scottish side only losing 3 points between them. George Greenwood’s superb cornering gave him the verdict in his first Silver Torch heat when he defeated the Glasgow rider Gruff Garland. The final, however, was all Evans. Quickly away, he held on to his fine lead, with Hart following, and finished well in front.
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The Best Pairs championship of the Marine Gardens speedway was held
on 30 August 1939 and resulted in a fine win for the Edinburgh pair Oliver Hart and Jack Hyland.
Their riding throughout the heats was superb and they only dropped one point to finish with a total of 19 points. Hart, by winning all his heats, was the only rider to score maximum points and with Hyland using all his craftiness as a partner they made a very hard pair to race against. The runners up were Gruff Garland and Joe Crowther, with a total of 17 points.
Billy Lamont made a good start but was unfortunate to crash twice during his heats. Packer also had a crash but neither rider was injured.
Some thrilling racing was witnessed in the heats of the Flying Eight scratch race. In heat one Greenwood just managed to hold his own against Menzies and in heat two Chapman bested Hart in a terrific duel on the bends. Fighting his way through a very close field in the final, Hart forced his way to the front to win a magnificent race.
Four days later war was declared and the Marine Gardens were once again requisitioned by the army.
on 30 August 1939 and resulted in a fine win for the Edinburgh pair Oliver Hart and Jack Hyland.
Their riding throughout the heats was superb and they only dropped one point to finish with a total of 19 points. Hart, by winning all his heats, was the only rider to score maximum points and with Hyland using all his craftiness as a partner they made a very hard pair to race against. The runners up were Gruff Garland and Joe Crowther, with a total of 17 points.
Billy Lamont made a good start but was unfortunate to crash twice during his heats. Packer also had a crash but neither rider was injured.
Some thrilling racing was witnessed in the heats of the Flying Eight scratch race. In heat one Greenwood just managed to hold his own against Menzies and in heat two Chapman bested Hart in a terrific duel on the bends. Fighting his way through a very close field in the final, Hart forced his way to the front to win a magnificent race.
Four days later war was declared and the Marine Gardens were once again requisitioned by the army.
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During the war the stadium at the Marine Gardens was used for public demonstrations in home defence. Typical was the event held on 26 January 1941, which was a large scale display arranged by the Auxiliary Fire Service.
The demonstration had been carefully planned and clearly conveyed the importance of everyone being alert and ready to deal with enemy incendiary bombs.
Four huts, complete with furniture, given the names of the Robin’s Nest, The Nook, The N.B. and The Galley, each indicative of a bedroom, parlour, dining room and kitchen, were the first to be set alight. The incendiary was allowed to be given a firm hold and soon the furniture was well ablaze. In just less than a minute each hut was a roaring fire and it looked as if much more than a stirrup pump would be necessary.
Three AFS men to each building, however, soon showed how simple it could be once you had a little knowledge of the pump. Two saw to the supply of water being maintained while the other moved as close as he could to the fire. Lying flat on the ground with the nozzle up over his left shoulder, he played the spray of the stirrup pump on the bomb and then fixed it for the jet to stream out on to the blazing furniture.
It could not have been more than two minutes before the fires were completely extinguished and the places of the firemen taken by boys and girls from Portobello School.
Bailie Andrew Murray, of the Edinburgh AFS acted as compere during the afternoon and with the arrival of the youngsters he indicated to the crowd through the loudspeaker how simple fighting a bomb could be. “Put plenty of paraffin on this time”, he ordered, “they might show the firemen up”. More bombs were set alight. The flames crackled and leaped higher than ever but the boys and girls were as good at the job as the firemen. “Look how easy they are working the stirrup pump”, said Bailie Murray, “just like doing the washing on Monday morning”.
Then to demonstrate that age does not matter, three old age pensioners from the Leith Association took over and they, too, had the fires well under control in very quick time.
Four AFS men and women telephonists from the Service next showed how simple it was to smother an incendiary with sand which has fallen on a roof. A small platform was supposed to represent the roof and as the bomb began to spurt its fire in all directions, the fighters scooped sand over it and raked it over until there was only a little harmless smoke left. The women were just as quick and efficient. One piled up the sand very methodically, which brought a remark from the loudspeakers: “It looks very amusing doesn’t it, but it is very serious. You may be called upon to do it tonight.”
Actual Nazi incendiary bombs, taken from an enemy machine, were also successfully treated with sand and the stirrup pump.
The Auxiliary firemen had the assistance of school pupils and one of the most successful items was contributed by a girl from Edinburgh Ladies’ College. According to the programme she had to show contempt for an incendiary bomb and appreciation of the use of the lamppost bag. Her simulation of contempt was most convincing. She sauntered along, swinging her school case and passed a street musician playing a gramophone. When she saw the incendiary bomb blazing in the roadway she went immediately to the lamppost, detached the bag of sand and in a trice she had extinguished the bomb in a most business like manner. She then resumed her sauntering progress to the sound of applause from the terracing.
It was then the turn of the efficient and keen men of the AFS to show their worth. A detachment of D of foam guns, a huge blazing pit of oil and petrol. In the centre of the stadium a tall structure had been erected and from the topmost platform a fireman was brought to safety by the new wheeled escape, an appliance which could do wonders for people who happen to be trapped in a burning building.
The demonstration had been carefully planned and clearly conveyed the importance of everyone being alert and ready to deal with enemy incendiary bombs.
Four huts, complete with furniture, given the names of the Robin’s Nest, The Nook, The N.B. and The Galley, each indicative of a bedroom, parlour, dining room and kitchen, were the first to be set alight. The incendiary was allowed to be given a firm hold and soon the furniture was well ablaze. In just less than a minute each hut was a roaring fire and it looked as if much more than a stirrup pump would be necessary.
Three AFS men to each building, however, soon showed how simple it could be once you had a little knowledge of the pump. Two saw to the supply of water being maintained while the other moved as close as he could to the fire. Lying flat on the ground with the nozzle up over his left shoulder, he played the spray of the stirrup pump on the bomb and then fixed it for the jet to stream out on to the blazing furniture.
It could not have been more than two minutes before the fires were completely extinguished and the places of the firemen taken by boys and girls from Portobello School.
Bailie Andrew Murray, of the Edinburgh AFS acted as compere during the afternoon and with the arrival of the youngsters he indicated to the crowd through the loudspeaker how simple fighting a bomb could be. “Put plenty of paraffin on this time”, he ordered, “they might show the firemen up”. More bombs were set alight. The flames crackled and leaped higher than ever but the boys and girls were as good at the job as the firemen. “Look how easy they are working the stirrup pump”, said Bailie Murray, “just like doing the washing on Monday morning”.
Then to demonstrate that age does not matter, three old age pensioners from the Leith Association took over and they, too, had the fires well under control in very quick time.
Four AFS men and women telephonists from the Service next showed how simple it was to smother an incendiary with sand which has fallen on a roof. A small platform was supposed to represent the roof and as the bomb began to spurt its fire in all directions, the fighters scooped sand over it and raked it over until there was only a little harmless smoke left. The women were just as quick and efficient. One piled up the sand very methodically, which brought a remark from the loudspeakers: “It looks very amusing doesn’t it, but it is very serious. You may be called upon to do it tonight.”
Actual Nazi incendiary bombs, taken from an enemy machine, were also successfully treated with sand and the stirrup pump.
The Auxiliary firemen had the assistance of school pupils and one of the most successful items was contributed by a girl from Edinburgh Ladies’ College. According to the programme she had to show contempt for an incendiary bomb and appreciation of the use of the lamppost bag. Her simulation of contempt was most convincing. She sauntered along, swinging her school case and passed a street musician playing a gramophone. When she saw the incendiary bomb blazing in the roadway she went immediately to the lamppost, detached the bag of sand and in a trice she had extinguished the bomb in a most business like manner. She then resumed her sauntering progress to the sound of applause from the terracing.
It was then the turn of the efficient and keen men of the AFS to show their worth. A detachment of D of foam guns, a huge blazing pit of oil and petrol. In the centre of the stadium a tall structure had been erected and from the topmost platform a fireman was brought to safety by the new wheeled escape, an appliance which could do wonders for people who happen to be trapped in a burning building.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
On 13 March 1941 J. W. Fraser, manager of the Marine Gardens, died.
Fraser had recently undergone an operation for appendicitis. Peritonitis set in and proved fatal.
Fraser was the promoter who introduced Speedway racing to Scotland. He managed the Marine Gardens, Edinburgh and the White City, Glasgow and was responsible for the appearance in Scotland of all the foremost speedway riders. He did not, however, confine his sporting activities to the speedway. He brought the boxer Primo Carnera to Edinburgh, the Italian afterwards going to the United States where he won the World Heavyweight Championship. He reintroduced to Britain the craze for roller skating and old time dancing. On the commercial side he controlled a number of sand pits throughout Scotland.
Since the outbreak of war he had interested himself in ARP and other civil defence services in the Portobello area and was engaged in arranging for a canteen kitchen for Edinburgh just before his illness.
Fraser had recently undergone an operation for appendicitis. Peritonitis set in and proved fatal.
Fraser was the promoter who introduced Speedway racing to Scotland. He managed the Marine Gardens, Edinburgh and the White City, Glasgow and was responsible for the appearance in Scotland of all the foremost speedway riders. He did not, however, confine his sporting activities to the speedway. He brought the boxer Primo Carnera to Edinburgh, the Italian afterwards going to the United States where he won the World Heavyweight Championship. He reintroduced to Britain the craze for roller skating and old time dancing. On the commercial side he controlled a number of sand pits throughout Scotland.
Since the outbreak of war he had interested himself in ARP and other civil defence services in the Portobello area and was engaged in arranging for a canteen kitchen for Edinburgh just before his illness.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
The death of J.W. Fraser led to the selling off of the assets of the Marine Gardens.
On Monday 10th August 1942 an auction was held in the yard of Messrs Adam Currie & Sons Ltd. West Saville Terrace which saw the sale of :-
One hundred and fifty 2ft square tables. Twenty two round iron tables. Two shop counters. Leather covered and other couches and settees. Goode’s and Avery penny in slot and platform weighing machines. Microphones. Two fireproof sails. Six cigarette machines. Saw with motor and bench. Cross cut saw. Garden roller and tools. Ladders and steps. Sturtevant electric vacuum cleaner. Walnut panel back and tip up chairs. Ham slicing machine by Berkel and Parnell. Potato chip cutter. tea measurer. Tea and coffee urns. Plates teapots. Hot water jugs. Cream ewers. Sugar bowls. Cake stands. Condiment sets. Dinner and tea knives. Forks. Tea, coffee and ice spoons. Large quantity cups and saucers, plates and odd ware. Pint and half pint tumblers. Champagne and other wine glasses. Trays. Kettles. Linen table cloths. Carpets. Minimax Fire extinguishers. Set drain cleaners. Jackson boiler. Mirrors. Roof glass. Barbed wire. Parchment shades. Electrical bulbs. Electrical equipment Tin advertisement sheets. Corrugated iron. Panel doors. Electric lamps. Maple wood and odd timber . Porcelain sinks and urinals. Motor trailer and miscellaneous effects.
On Monday 10th August 1942 an auction was held in the yard of Messrs Adam Currie & Sons Ltd. West Saville Terrace which saw the sale of :-
One hundred and fifty 2ft square tables. Twenty two round iron tables. Two shop counters. Leather covered and other couches and settees. Goode’s and Avery penny in slot and platform weighing machines. Microphones. Two fireproof sails. Six cigarette machines. Saw with motor and bench. Cross cut saw. Garden roller and tools. Ladders and steps. Sturtevant electric vacuum cleaner. Walnut panel back and tip up chairs. Ham slicing machine by Berkel and Parnell. Potato chip cutter. tea measurer. Tea and coffee urns. Plates teapots. Hot water jugs. Cream ewers. Sugar bowls. Cake stands. Condiment sets. Dinner and tea knives. Forks. Tea, coffee and ice spoons. Large quantity cups and saucers, plates and odd ware. Pint and half pint tumblers. Champagne and other wine glasses. Trays. Kettles. Linen table cloths. Carpets. Minimax Fire extinguishers. Set drain cleaners. Jackson boiler. Mirrors. Roof glass. Barbed wire. Parchment shades. Electrical bulbs. Electrical equipment Tin advertisement sheets. Corrugated iron. Panel doors. Electric lamps. Maple wood and odd timber . Porcelain sinks and urinals. Motor trailer and miscellaneous effects.
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On the afternoon of 2 March 1945, Mr. A.F. Palmer Phillips, the Sales Director of Vauxhall Motors Ltd and ex president of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd performed the ceremony of launching two landing craft at the SMT war construction factory at the Marine Gardens.
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A fortnight later women welders were chosen by their fellow employees at the Marine Gardens, to launch two landing craft. The ceremony was performed by Miss Margaret Horner, 4 Wellington Place, Joppa, a former waitress at the Liberton Golf Club and Mrs. Jean Mathieson, 16 Craigmillar Castle Terrace, wife of an RAF man.
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In the immediate aftermath of the war the Marine Gardens played its part in the reconstruction.
There was a desperate need for housing and the Government imported prefabricated timber houses from Sweden. The first were brought over from Sweden to Leith by the steamer Porkel on 22 February 1946. She was the first of five or six vessels which were expected at the port within the next week or two.
Altogether 200 houses were delivered. They were stored under cover in the Marine Gardens and there the sections, which were all code numbered, were sorted out ready for distribution to the various sites. The houses were of one storey and two storey types.
There was a desperate need for housing and the Government imported prefabricated timber houses from Sweden. The first were brought over from Sweden to Leith by the steamer Porkel on 22 February 1946. She was the first of five or six vessels which were expected at the port within the next week or two.
Altogether 200 houses were delivered. They were stored under cover in the Marine Gardens and there the sections, which were all code numbered, were sorted out ready for distribution to the various sites. The houses were of one storey and two storey types.
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On 15 April 1946 a Luton firm of engineers, Hayward Tyler & Co Ltd. took over premises at the Marine Gardens, for the manufacture of mineral water machinery and oil refinery pumps. The building, used during the war for the construction of landing craft, occupied 100,000 square feet of floor space. The factory was expected, after a year’s running, to give employment to some 500 people. Seventy five per cent of the machinery produced would be for export. It signalled the end of the Marine Gardens as an entertainment complex.
Within a few months Hayward Tyler were joined by Graham Enock Manufacturing Ltd. and by the Scottish Motor Traction Company (SMT).
By September 1948 all of the land had been sold by the Government to business concerns. The Marine Gardens had become an industrial estate.
Within a few months Hayward Tyler were joined by Graham Enock Manufacturing Ltd. and by the Scottish Motor Traction Company (SMT).
By September 1948 all of the land had been sold by the Government to business concerns. The Marine Gardens had become an industrial estate.
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The last official event at the Marine Gardens took place on 21 December 1949 when a prototype of a mechanised landing craft built during the war and launched at the Gardens in November 1944 by the then Lady Provost, Miss Diana Falconer, was presented by Mr. C. Cambage, General Manager SMT to Mr. D. McIntyre V.C., Under Secretary of the Ministry of Works.
The craft was engined with two high power petrol Packard motors and was built to carry two small fighting tanks or one large one, complete with infantry platoon.
The prototype was placed beside a model of a landing craft used in the Napoleonic wars in the Scottish United Services Museum, Edinburgh Castle.
After this, there are no further references to the Marine Gardens in the Scotsman Archive.
The craft was engined with two high power petrol Packard motors and was built to carry two small fighting tanks or one large one, complete with infantry platoon.
The prototype was placed beside a model of a landing craft used in the Napoleonic wars in the Scottish United Services Museum, Edinburgh Castle.
After this, there are no further references to the Marine Gardens in the Scotsman Archive.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.