The Vice President is a Member of the Club whose experience and advice is of benefit to the Committees of the Club. This post is non-executive in that it does not have a portfolio of responsibility. Election of Vice President is by two thirds majority at a General Meeting.
Telling the history of the Club’s Vice Presidents is a little difficult. The VOC has had a surprising number, but some of the history is a long time ago, before even this writer’s time. The Club has also prevaricated, on more than one occasion, over the term of office of VP, and this has had its own effects, which the writer may, or may not, have unravelled correctly. For those interested in more historical detail of those times, see MPHs September 1967, November 1967, November 1968, and MPHs from late 1981 to 1984. It is not the purpose of this listing to go into such issues, but to illuminate our Vice Presidents, and the merits for which they were elected. Using mainly MPH archives, it can be difficult to quantify and illuminate their contributions, but if their compatriots judged them as worthy this should mean more than the few, dry, facts that the writer may be able to offer. There have been more Vice Presidents than you might imagine, my count, at any rate, is 13 – I hope that I haven’t missed any out! They are listed here in alphabetical order…
E.C. Baillie C.A. 1952
E.C. Baillie C.A. was elected Vice President at the fourth Annual General Meeting, and listed in MPH from June 1952 (no. 42). This gentleman’s contribution to Vincents was long forgotten, possibly then remembered and forgotten again? We all owe E.C. Baillie a great debt, for without him most of our Vincents would not exist. He was not an employee, rider, or even an enthusiast – he was a Receiver, appointed in August 1949, by the Vincent H.R.D. company’s bankers, who were worried about the financial situation. It could have been the end of the story there and then, and a knock-down sale of the machines in store. Instead, Mr Baillie, impressed by the staff, the business, and the Vincent, decided that they should carry on. Most of the Vincents that were ever made, were made after E.C. Baillie was appointed, and thus in control.
P.C.V. recounts, in his autobiography, that Mr Baillie was persuaded to return to lower prices, which cleared the stockpile and turned around the sales situation. For 1950 he sanctioned the Vincent factory TT entries, with special Grey Flash machines. This was never a real attempt to win, but an exercise in convincing the market that the Company was viable and staying in business. Nevertheless it added a little extra lustre to the marque, whose TT history is generally little appreciated in the motorcycle world, overshadowed by the 1000cc machines and record breaking. The following couple of years were the most productive years for motorcycles, and the company was eventually reconstructed as Vincent Engineers, Stevenage Ltd., with E.C. Baillie as one of the directors.
In the citation for Vice President it was also stated that E.C. Baillie rendered the VOC ‘financial assistance’ so he was a friend to the Club, as well as to the company.
In 1967 there was a proposal that VPs should be elected for a three-year term, from the Honorary Members, for which purpose the current VPs, including E.C. Baillie, were elected Honorary Members. Whilst the other existing VPs were re-elected to their positions, E.C. Baillie ceased to be listed as A Vice President from November 1968. Although continuing to be listed as an Honorary Member the Club lost contact with E.C. Baillie for many years. He was last listed as a Honorary Member in March 1994, after which I presume the Club became aware of his passing (as yet I have not located an obituary).
Jacqueline P. Bickerstaff, 2014 and 2019-Date Riders Roll of Honour
Jacqueline has been a Member of the Club for many years, initially owning a Series ‘A’ Comet, and subsequently the Twin on which she has covered nearly 250,000 miles — and which has provided her pen name of ‘PUB’ in the wider motorcycle press. She rebuilt the mortal remains of a 1926 H.R.D., on which she subsequently toured extensively as far as the USSR, and including VOC International rallies in New Zealand and Canada.
Professionally, she is a qualified engineer (PhD) and member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. She has worked mainly in the field of radar and navigation (eg. designing GPS microchips), with a number of technical papers and patents to her name. Phil Irving was her proposer for membership of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
During this time she has served as a local Section Organiser (West Mercia/South Birmingham), and Rarity non-territorial Section Organiser encouraging interest in H.R.D.s, Fireflies, Foxes, Amandas, industrial engines and other products, many of which she has owned and shown. Subsequently she has served on the Executive Committee as both Hon. Technical Officer and Hon. Overseas Representative, as well as offering a telephone and postal ‘Technical Helpline’ in pre-Internet and online forum times.
She has written extensively in MPH, originating many technical articles to be found in 40 Years On and authored two books (Original Vincent Motorcycle currently available from Club Shop (via The VOC Spares Company Limited), and the out of print Vincent Twins from Haynes) as well as publishing and assisting with Geoff Preece’s book H.R.D. motorcycles.
Graham Smith and Dick Wheeldon proposed Jacqueline for the position of Vice President in 2014. However, having been a Vice President for just one year, she stood down whilst undertaking her duties as Hon. Chairman. Jacqueline was immediately re-elected as a Vice President in 2019 when she retired as Hon. Chairman.
R.A.B. Cook* 1954
Robert Alexander Barclay (RAB) Cook was elected Vice President at the 6th AGM in 1954, listed in MPH as Vice President from May 1954. ‘Rab’ was a powerhouse in the early days of the Club, becoming Editor in February 1951 (MPH no. 26), to May 1954 (MPH no. 65). By today’s standards, this may not sound exceptional, but it was recognised as such by the men of the day – at a time when one-make Clubs were rare, and the VOC were just establishing itself. ‘Rab’ wrote extensively in the magazine, as well as editing it, and encouraged the famous Tony Rose 100,000 mile road test, helped by his press connections no doubt. He did a great deal to establish the VOC as a Club, and a premier Club at that.
His writing style earned him a professional job with the motorcycle press, where he became the respected columnist ‘Carbon’ in Motor Cycling (known as the Green ‘Un). He remained active in the Club into the 1960s.
In later years Rab suffered with emphysema, and emigrated to warmer climes, eventually retiring to Sri Lanka (where he had a late family with a locally born wife). As a result, Rab was just a name in the front cover to many, later Members. In 1968 he was elected to Honorary membership in line with the preceding Annual General Meeting decision that Vice Presidents should be drawn from the Honorary Member list – but immediately re-elected Vice President, and continued to appear as such in MPH. At the 1981 Annual General Meeting, somewhat similar circumstances were regenerated, with Vice Presidents subject to re-election. Considerable debate resulted, and for a while Rab wrote some articles for MPH again, but the outcome was less happy. This eventually resulted in Rab resigning, and from August 1984 the name of R.A.B. Cook no longer appeared in the front cover of MPH. I believe that Rab died in the early 1990s.
Sir Mark Goodson*, 1985-2006 Obituary
Mark Goodson is well known for his riding exploits, and his conviction that the Vincent has never been surpassed as a touring motorcycle. Living on the borders of England and Scotland, his attendance at meetings usually entails a 700 mile round trip if he uses the Vincent — which he often does. Attendance at foreign rallies and touring across Australia underline both his enthusiasm and conviction that Vincents are best. Mark has also supported many initiatives to develop or produce new items for Vincents by sponsoring developments whilst others were still procrastinating.
Mark served as the Club’s Treasurer from February 1986 to January 1992, a time when this job was becoming increasingly onerous, because the Club holds considerable assets (including shares in the VOCS), and has a significant turnover. The treasurer has to keep various taxmen and officials happy (corporation tax, VAT), as well as the membership. Mark not only did this task, but also revised the Club’s policies towards investment, and then continued to help and advise subsequent treasurers.
Mark then took on the challenge of becoming Chairman of the VOC in 1992. This was a daunting prospect. For 25 years, the Club had been chaired by Bryan Phillips, and many Members knew no other. After such a stable, and effective chairmanship, establishing a new personality, possibly new directions, etc., and most of all an environment where others would think of standing for office, called for a man of stature. Mark Goodson was such a man, and enabled the Club to enter a new era without a hitch.
In 1995, Mark was elected Vice President, not only in recognition of his work, but to allow his expertise and efforts to continue on behalf of the Club, whilst not tied to a specific portfolio. Mark has thus continued to actively help the Club, both by assisting other officials, and by taking on tasks (such as the 1999 International Scottish stage).
Mark voluntarily stood down at the 2005 Annual General Meeting, believing that he could no longer put in the dedication he would wish to, due to a combination of age and the distance involved to meetings. As a Vice President, he was also an Honorary Member of the Club, but it was not the practice of the Club to list Vice Presidents also in the MPH Honorary Member listing. Sir Mark Goodson was deservedly an Honorary Member, and his name appeared in MPHs Honorary Member List list. Sadly, Mark passed away in 2015.
J.E. Hampshire* 1961
J.E. Hampshire, ‘Ted’ as he was always known, was very well known to Vincent owners and VOC Members throughout the 1950s. He had been with the Company from the early days, when machines used proprietary engines, and was very proud to be a part of Vincents. PCV, in his autobiography, remembered ‘Dear old Ted Hampshire’ preparing the 1931 show stands after just ‘two hours kip in the cab of the lorry’. For the Vincent owner with a problem in the post-war era, Ted was your man, and he was always ready for a general chat on motorcycling. Not only a Works' employee, Ted Hampshire was also a dedicated motorcyclist, and rarely missed VOC events, even scrutineering for the popular Stan Powell road trial. Ted Hampshire was also responsible for the survival of the first Black Shadow, which reputedly caught fire when an employee over-flooded it prior to an attempt to start it. The burnt-out remains were not irreparably damaged, and Ted Hampshire bought the damaged machine and rebuilt it, using it for his personal transport before eventually selling it on.
Ted Hampshire’s contribution to the Vincent, and the VOC, was recognised by the April 1961 AGM with his election to Vice President, although his name did not appear in the front cover of MPH until July. Ted remained a Vice President until his death in April 1964, an obituary appearing in the May MPH (no. 184).
Bill W.J. Hindes A.M.I.Mech.E* 1959
Bill Hindes was a much respected Club Member and official, who is still commemorated in the Club’s ‘Bill Hindes trophy’. He served as the Club’s Chairman from 1953 to 1959, putting in a great deal of effort into Club events and ventures, and was then elected Vice President at an EGM in September of 1959 (the EGM being called for a different main purpose). Bill continued to work for the Club, assisting, for example, with the VOC stands at the Earls Court motorcycle shows of 1960, 1962, and 1964. His interests extended beyond Vincents, eg. Jaguars and Aston Martins, but Bill considered the Vincent-HRD Owners Club to be the best, and ‘composed of a collection of darn nice folks’. He remained a Vice President until his death in July 1965, with his obituary appearing in the August 1965 MPH (no. 199).
Phil Irving* 1949-1979
Phil Irving was the Club’s first Vice President, appointed right at the beginning, and retaining the position until becoming the President, after the death of Phil Vincent. This has already been related in the previous article on Club Presidents and does not need repeating.
W. Alan Jackson* 1952
Alan Jackson, the founder of the Club, was elected Vice President at the fourth Annual General Meeting, and listed in MPH from June 1952 (no. 42). He continued as Vice President until 1984. From December 1984, Alan was listed as ‘Founder’ (see previous article under this heading for more detail). Alan’s obituary is in August 1992 MPH (no. 523)
Bruce Main-Smith 1963
Bruce Main-Smith was the only ‘Technical Editor’ that MPH ever professed to have, appointed in the early 1950s when RAB Cook was in charge. His frequent technical contributions, often developed after trials on his twin ‘B-dum’ are still acknowledged today. I believe it was BMS who determined that our oil takes 15 miles to warm up, and advised gentle riding for those first miles — he was no mean rider himself and rode his own machine hard after those first miles. His writing in MPH led to employment by Temple Press, writing for MotorCycling — the Green ‘Un. There he rendered another service by producing the Vincent H.R.D. motorcycles in their motorcycle manuals series, a small but useful manual with the best picture of what the clutch should look like when you have finished assembling it in-situ. In later years Bruce ran his own business (Bruce Main-Smith Ltd.) selling and publishing books, including such classics as ‘Roadtests republished’ and the ‘Vintage Road Test Journals’.
In 1960 the Club went through one of its periodic difficult phases, resulting in changes to the ‘top table’. A strong hand was needed to bring back order, and Bruce was elected to be the Club’s chairman, holding this position from January 1960 to December 1962. His firm hand was just what was needed at the time, order was restored, and the Club continued to go from strength to strength. In May 1963 his efforts were rewarded with the position of Vice President. In the difficult time of 1984 Bruce’s firm convictions worked the other way, and he could not accept the VOC change of rules, resulting in his resignation from the Club, his name no longer appearing in MPH from August 1984. Bruce continued with his business, BMS until ill health resulted in him selling up — although the business continues (in the hands of Colin Mitchell) selling books, and also useful photocopies of spare parts lists for machines and accessories such as carburettors and electrical equipment.
B.A. Phillips, 1980-1984
Bryan Phillips has been in most of the senior positions in the VOC, Secretary, Chairman, Honorary Member, Vice President, and President. Bryan took on the job of Acting Secretary in 1960, at a very troubled time for the Club. His part in helping the Club through this time was regarded with Honorary Membership in 1967. He became Chairman in 1966, a position he was to hold for an amazing, and dedicated, 25 years. In November 1980, Bryan was elected a Vice President. However, in 1984, Bryan voluntarily stood down from this position, to ease the enactment of the five-yearly re-election of Vice Presidents. In 1992 Bryan became President of the VOC, as related in the article on Presidents.
Ian Savage, 2019-Date
Ian Savage has been a continuous Member of the VOC since 1972 when he started rebuilding a £5 basket case Comet and has been a strong and consistent contributor to the Club ever since. Ian took the role of Hon. Information Officer in 1985 until 1993 during which time he ran two highly-successful Comet Raffles. Following this, Ian served as Hon. Overseas Representative from 1998 to 2004 and was also a part of the team that organised the memorable 1999 International Rally on the Isle of Man.
In 2009, Ian took over as Managing Director of The VOC Spares Company Limited, and for ten years under his leadership, the Company grew in size and stature and thrived commercially, moving to larger premises, twice, the second having been bought by the Club and Company. During this period, Ian even worked five or six days a week with Vincents, but he continued to support the Club and its events, often riding that first Comet that he still owns.
George B. Spence*, 2006-2015 Obituary I Obituary II
George Spence was one of the notorious ‘Binley Road’ gang of Vincent enthusiasts who shared a flat in the environs of Coventry in the 50s. Racing and sprinting was a major activity in those days, and George participated, even on the Wolverhampton H.R.D. he salvaged from ‘Newlands Corner’, in an era when most people considered such an old bike to be worthless. Indeed it was George who ensured that the VOC embraced H.R.D. as well as Vincent and Vincent H.R.D. machines in its compass. More recently, George has acted as the Organiser for ‘Rarities’, uncovering such titbits the ML U120D target aeroplane (MPH 301) and continues to foster, encourage, and research the more obscure Vincent H.R.D. machines. Over the years he has written extensively for MPH, in his own name or sometimes with a pseudonym, on a variety of aspects of Vincent ownership, and lore. In MPH 202 he presented nothing less than an outline drawing of a four-valve head for a Vincent!
George became the Club’s Treasurer in 1992 (February MPH) and continued until January 997 — Treasurers have traditionally arranged their own changeover schedules. Having relinquished the post in 1997, George took on the task again from October 1998, after the illness of the Treasurer in post. This, of course, involved the onerous task of sorting out back transactions, as well as the current task, all of which he sorted out before handing the job on in February 2000. He has worked tirelessly to try and modernise our processes, in particular to gather a team, computerise and thus ease the workloads of individual officers. George has also taken a considerable interest in the VOC Spares Company, and its relationship with the VOC. This originally took the form of being the Club’s ‘liaison officer’, and has developed until George now holds the position of Chairman of the Board of VOCS, in a period when VOCS have proven, by building one, that a complete Vincent engine is now possible using new parts, and may soon do the same for a complete motorcycle.
In recognition of George’s contribution, and in the expectation that he will continue in these efforts, George Spence was elected Vice President at the 2004 Annual General Meeting, appearing in the MPH listing from November 2004. At the time of writing, subsequent to Mark Goodson standing down, George is the Club’s sole Vice President. Next instalment — some ‘invisible’ Honorary Members.
J.P. Vereker*, 1962-1998
John Vereker was one of the Club’s long standing Members, although not owning a Vincent in his later years. In the earlier years of the Club, however, he was very active and hard working, having held the post of Hon. Sports Secretary in 1953, Hon. Secretary in 1954, and Hon. Treasurer from 1960 to 1962 — some of the most onerous positions in the Club (which was very sporting orientated in the early days). In 1962 John's work, and his experience, was recognised by his election to Vice President, which appeared from May MPH onwards. At the 1968 AGM, John Vereker was formally re-elected as one of the Vice Presidents, to conform with the rule change of the previous year.
In those days there was little in the way of ‘classic motorcycle’ activity, and VPs tended to fade from active Club life as their riding careers waned, and this is what eventually happened with John as well. In 1981 further rule changes were enacted, which not all VPs found acceptable. John Vereker, however, remained fully supportive of the Club at this troubled time, and willing to serve in whatever capacity required. As a result, from 1984 the Club had just a single Vice President listed (from December MPH) — John Vereker.
At this time John’s personal motorcycling activity was primarily concerned with keeping lowly Honda 50s on the road, cheaply. These were widely used by potential taxi drivers, busy learning ‘the knowledge’ — a process of learning London streets and routes by heart which is a pre-requisite to obtaining a licence to be one of the famous London ‘black cab’ drivers. Nevertheless, his interest in the VOC was renewed, and John rarely missed the business meetings of the Club thereafter (Executive Committee and General Committee Meetings). John did not throw his weight about, and quietly made his views known, but could be quite persistent when he felt the future of the VOC required it. John died on 23rd November 1998, and his obituary appeared in the January 1999 MPH. He is survived by his wife Tessa, now Tessa French.
*Deceased
To contact the Vincent H.R.D. Owners Club Forum Website Webmaster click HERE.
Telling the history of the Club’s Vice Presidents is a little difficult. The VOC has had a surprising number, but some of the history is a long time ago, before even this writer’s time. The Club has also prevaricated, on more than one occasion, over the term of office of VP, and this has had its own effects, which the writer may, or may not, have unravelled correctly. For those interested in more historical detail of those times, see MPHs September 1967, November 1967, November 1968, and MPHs from late 1981 to 1984. It is not the purpose of this listing to go into such issues, but to illuminate our Vice Presidents, and the merits for which they were elected. Using mainly MPH archives, it can be difficult to quantify and illuminate their contributions, but if their compatriots judged them as worthy this should mean more than the few, dry, facts that the writer may be able to offer. There have been more Vice Presidents than you might imagine, my count, at any rate, is 13 – I hope that I haven’t missed any out! They are listed here in alphabetical order…
E.C. Baillie C.A. 1952
E.C. Baillie C.A. was elected Vice President at the fourth Annual General Meeting, and listed in MPH from June 1952 (no. 42). This gentleman’s contribution to Vincents was long forgotten, possibly then remembered and forgotten again? We all owe E.C. Baillie a great debt, for without him most of our Vincents would not exist. He was not an employee, rider, or even an enthusiast – he was a Receiver, appointed in August 1949, by the Vincent H.R.D. company’s bankers, who were worried about the financial situation. It could have been the end of the story there and then, and a knock-down sale of the machines in store. Instead, Mr Baillie, impressed by the staff, the business, and the Vincent, decided that they should carry on. Most of the Vincents that were ever made, were made after E.C. Baillie was appointed, and thus in control.
P.C.V. recounts, in his autobiography, that Mr Baillie was persuaded to return to lower prices, which cleared the stockpile and turned around the sales situation. For 1950 he sanctioned the Vincent factory TT entries, with special Grey Flash machines. This was never a real attempt to win, but an exercise in convincing the market that the Company was viable and staying in business. Nevertheless it added a little extra lustre to the marque, whose TT history is generally little appreciated in the motorcycle world, overshadowed by the 1000cc machines and record breaking. The following couple of years were the most productive years for motorcycles, and the company was eventually reconstructed as Vincent Engineers, Stevenage Ltd., with E.C. Baillie as one of the directors.
In the citation for Vice President it was also stated that E.C. Baillie rendered the VOC ‘financial assistance’ so he was a friend to the Club, as well as to the company.
In 1967 there was a proposal that VPs should be elected for a three-year term, from the Honorary Members, for which purpose the current VPs, including E.C. Baillie, were elected Honorary Members. Whilst the other existing VPs were re-elected to their positions, E.C. Baillie ceased to be listed as A Vice President from November 1968. Although continuing to be listed as an Honorary Member the Club lost contact with E.C. Baillie for many years. He was last listed as a Honorary Member in March 1994, after which I presume the Club became aware of his passing (as yet I have not located an obituary).
Jacqueline P. Bickerstaff, 2014 and 2019-Date Riders Roll of Honour
Jacqueline has been a Member of the Club for many years, initially owning a Series ‘A’ Comet, and subsequently the Twin on which she has covered nearly 250,000 miles — and which has provided her pen name of ‘PUB’ in the wider motorcycle press. She rebuilt the mortal remains of a 1926 H.R.D., on which she subsequently toured extensively as far as the USSR, and including VOC International rallies in New Zealand and Canada.
Professionally, she is a qualified engineer (PhD) and member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. She has worked mainly in the field of radar and navigation (eg. designing GPS microchips), with a number of technical papers and patents to her name. Phil Irving was her proposer for membership of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
During this time she has served as a local Section Organiser (West Mercia/South Birmingham), and Rarity non-territorial Section Organiser encouraging interest in H.R.D.s, Fireflies, Foxes, Amandas, industrial engines and other products, many of which she has owned and shown. Subsequently she has served on the Executive Committee as both Hon. Technical Officer and Hon. Overseas Representative, as well as offering a telephone and postal ‘Technical Helpline’ in pre-Internet and online forum times.
She has written extensively in MPH, originating many technical articles to be found in 40 Years On and authored two books (Original Vincent Motorcycle currently available from Club Shop (via The VOC Spares Company Limited), and the out of print Vincent Twins from Haynes) as well as publishing and assisting with Geoff Preece’s book H.R.D. motorcycles.
Graham Smith and Dick Wheeldon proposed Jacqueline for the position of Vice President in 2014. However, having been a Vice President for just one year, she stood down whilst undertaking her duties as Hon. Chairman. Jacqueline was immediately re-elected as a Vice President in 2019 when she retired as Hon. Chairman.
R.A.B. Cook* 1954
Robert Alexander Barclay (RAB) Cook was elected Vice President at the 6th AGM in 1954, listed in MPH as Vice President from May 1954. ‘Rab’ was a powerhouse in the early days of the Club, becoming Editor in February 1951 (MPH no. 26), to May 1954 (MPH no. 65). By today’s standards, this may not sound exceptional, but it was recognised as such by the men of the day – at a time when one-make Clubs were rare, and the VOC were just establishing itself. ‘Rab’ wrote extensively in the magazine, as well as editing it, and encouraged the famous Tony Rose 100,000 mile road test, helped by his press connections no doubt. He did a great deal to establish the VOC as a Club, and a premier Club at that.
His writing style earned him a professional job with the motorcycle press, where he became the respected columnist ‘Carbon’ in Motor Cycling (known as the Green ‘Un). He remained active in the Club into the 1960s.
In later years Rab suffered with emphysema, and emigrated to warmer climes, eventually retiring to Sri Lanka (where he had a late family with a locally born wife). As a result, Rab was just a name in the front cover to many, later Members. In 1968 he was elected to Honorary membership in line with the preceding Annual General Meeting decision that Vice Presidents should be drawn from the Honorary Member list – but immediately re-elected Vice President, and continued to appear as such in MPH. At the 1981 Annual General Meeting, somewhat similar circumstances were regenerated, with Vice Presidents subject to re-election. Considerable debate resulted, and for a while Rab wrote some articles for MPH again, but the outcome was less happy. This eventually resulted in Rab resigning, and from August 1984 the name of R.A.B. Cook no longer appeared in the front cover of MPH. I believe that Rab died in the early 1990s.
Sir Mark Goodson*, 1985-2006 Obituary
Mark Goodson is well known for his riding exploits, and his conviction that the Vincent has never been surpassed as a touring motorcycle. Living on the borders of England and Scotland, his attendance at meetings usually entails a 700 mile round trip if he uses the Vincent — which he often does. Attendance at foreign rallies and touring across Australia underline both his enthusiasm and conviction that Vincents are best. Mark has also supported many initiatives to develop or produce new items for Vincents by sponsoring developments whilst others were still procrastinating.
Mark served as the Club’s Treasurer from February 1986 to January 1992, a time when this job was becoming increasingly onerous, because the Club holds considerable assets (including shares in the VOCS), and has a significant turnover. The treasurer has to keep various taxmen and officials happy (corporation tax, VAT), as well as the membership. Mark not only did this task, but also revised the Club’s policies towards investment, and then continued to help and advise subsequent treasurers.
Mark then took on the challenge of becoming Chairman of the VOC in 1992. This was a daunting prospect. For 25 years, the Club had been chaired by Bryan Phillips, and many Members knew no other. After such a stable, and effective chairmanship, establishing a new personality, possibly new directions, etc., and most of all an environment where others would think of standing for office, called for a man of stature. Mark Goodson was such a man, and enabled the Club to enter a new era without a hitch.
In 1995, Mark was elected Vice President, not only in recognition of his work, but to allow his expertise and efforts to continue on behalf of the Club, whilst not tied to a specific portfolio. Mark has thus continued to actively help the Club, both by assisting other officials, and by taking on tasks (such as the 1999 International Scottish stage).
Mark voluntarily stood down at the 2005 Annual General Meeting, believing that he could no longer put in the dedication he would wish to, due to a combination of age and the distance involved to meetings. As a Vice President, he was also an Honorary Member of the Club, but it was not the practice of the Club to list Vice Presidents also in the MPH Honorary Member listing. Sir Mark Goodson was deservedly an Honorary Member, and his name appeared in MPHs Honorary Member List list. Sadly, Mark passed away in 2015.
J.E. Hampshire* 1961
J.E. Hampshire, ‘Ted’ as he was always known, was very well known to Vincent owners and VOC Members throughout the 1950s. He had been with the Company from the early days, when machines used proprietary engines, and was very proud to be a part of Vincents. PCV, in his autobiography, remembered ‘Dear old Ted Hampshire’ preparing the 1931 show stands after just ‘two hours kip in the cab of the lorry’. For the Vincent owner with a problem in the post-war era, Ted was your man, and he was always ready for a general chat on motorcycling. Not only a Works' employee, Ted Hampshire was also a dedicated motorcyclist, and rarely missed VOC events, even scrutineering for the popular Stan Powell road trial. Ted Hampshire was also responsible for the survival of the first Black Shadow, which reputedly caught fire when an employee over-flooded it prior to an attempt to start it. The burnt-out remains were not irreparably damaged, and Ted Hampshire bought the damaged machine and rebuilt it, using it for his personal transport before eventually selling it on.
Ted Hampshire’s contribution to the Vincent, and the VOC, was recognised by the April 1961 AGM with his election to Vice President, although his name did not appear in the front cover of MPH until July. Ted remained a Vice President until his death in April 1964, an obituary appearing in the May MPH (no. 184).
Bill W.J. Hindes A.M.I.Mech.E* 1959
Bill Hindes was a much respected Club Member and official, who is still commemorated in the Club’s ‘Bill Hindes trophy’. He served as the Club’s Chairman from 1953 to 1959, putting in a great deal of effort into Club events and ventures, and was then elected Vice President at an EGM in September of 1959 (the EGM being called for a different main purpose). Bill continued to work for the Club, assisting, for example, with the VOC stands at the Earls Court motorcycle shows of 1960, 1962, and 1964. His interests extended beyond Vincents, eg. Jaguars and Aston Martins, but Bill considered the Vincent-HRD Owners Club to be the best, and ‘composed of a collection of darn nice folks’. He remained a Vice President until his death in July 1965, with his obituary appearing in the August 1965 MPH (no. 199).
Phil Irving* 1949-1979
Phil Irving was the Club’s first Vice President, appointed right at the beginning, and retaining the position until becoming the President, after the death of Phil Vincent. This has already been related in the previous article on Club Presidents and does not need repeating.
W. Alan Jackson* 1952
Alan Jackson, the founder of the Club, was elected Vice President at the fourth Annual General Meeting, and listed in MPH from June 1952 (no. 42). He continued as Vice President until 1984. From December 1984, Alan was listed as ‘Founder’ (see previous article under this heading for more detail). Alan’s obituary is in August 1992 MPH (no. 523)
Bruce Main-Smith 1963
Bruce Main-Smith was the only ‘Technical Editor’ that MPH ever professed to have, appointed in the early 1950s when RAB Cook was in charge. His frequent technical contributions, often developed after trials on his twin ‘B-dum’ are still acknowledged today. I believe it was BMS who determined that our oil takes 15 miles to warm up, and advised gentle riding for those first miles — he was no mean rider himself and rode his own machine hard after those first miles. His writing in MPH led to employment by Temple Press, writing for MotorCycling — the Green ‘Un. There he rendered another service by producing the Vincent H.R.D. motorcycles in their motorcycle manuals series, a small but useful manual with the best picture of what the clutch should look like when you have finished assembling it in-situ. In later years Bruce ran his own business (Bruce Main-Smith Ltd.) selling and publishing books, including such classics as ‘Roadtests republished’ and the ‘Vintage Road Test Journals’.
In 1960 the Club went through one of its periodic difficult phases, resulting in changes to the ‘top table’. A strong hand was needed to bring back order, and Bruce was elected to be the Club’s chairman, holding this position from January 1960 to December 1962. His firm hand was just what was needed at the time, order was restored, and the Club continued to go from strength to strength. In May 1963 his efforts were rewarded with the position of Vice President. In the difficult time of 1984 Bruce’s firm convictions worked the other way, and he could not accept the VOC change of rules, resulting in his resignation from the Club, his name no longer appearing in MPH from August 1984. Bruce continued with his business, BMS until ill health resulted in him selling up — although the business continues (in the hands of Colin Mitchell) selling books, and also useful photocopies of spare parts lists for machines and accessories such as carburettors and electrical equipment.
B.A. Phillips, 1980-1984
Bryan Phillips has been in most of the senior positions in the VOC, Secretary, Chairman, Honorary Member, Vice President, and President. Bryan took on the job of Acting Secretary in 1960, at a very troubled time for the Club. His part in helping the Club through this time was regarded with Honorary Membership in 1967. He became Chairman in 1966, a position he was to hold for an amazing, and dedicated, 25 years. In November 1980, Bryan was elected a Vice President. However, in 1984, Bryan voluntarily stood down from this position, to ease the enactment of the five-yearly re-election of Vice Presidents. In 1992 Bryan became President of the VOC, as related in the article on Presidents.
Ian Savage, 2019-Date
Ian Savage has been a continuous Member of the VOC since 1972 when he started rebuilding a £5 basket case Comet and has been a strong and consistent contributor to the Club ever since. Ian took the role of Hon. Information Officer in 1985 until 1993 during which time he ran two highly-successful Comet Raffles. Following this, Ian served as Hon. Overseas Representative from 1998 to 2004 and was also a part of the team that organised the memorable 1999 International Rally on the Isle of Man.
In 2009, Ian took over as Managing Director of The VOC Spares Company Limited, and for ten years under his leadership, the Company grew in size and stature and thrived commercially, moving to larger premises, twice, the second having been bought by the Club and Company. During this period, Ian even worked five or six days a week with Vincents, but he continued to support the Club and its events, often riding that first Comet that he still owns.
George B. Spence*, 2006-2015 Obituary I Obituary II
George Spence was one of the notorious ‘Binley Road’ gang of Vincent enthusiasts who shared a flat in the environs of Coventry in the 50s. Racing and sprinting was a major activity in those days, and George participated, even on the Wolverhampton H.R.D. he salvaged from ‘Newlands Corner’, in an era when most people considered such an old bike to be worthless. Indeed it was George who ensured that the VOC embraced H.R.D. as well as Vincent and Vincent H.R.D. machines in its compass. More recently, George has acted as the Organiser for ‘Rarities’, uncovering such titbits the ML U120D target aeroplane (MPH 301) and continues to foster, encourage, and research the more obscure Vincent H.R.D. machines. Over the years he has written extensively for MPH, in his own name or sometimes with a pseudonym, on a variety of aspects of Vincent ownership, and lore. In MPH 202 he presented nothing less than an outline drawing of a four-valve head for a Vincent!
George became the Club’s Treasurer in 1992 (February MPH) and continued until January 997 — Treasurers have traditionally arranged their own changeover schedules. Having relinquished the post in 1997, George took on the task again from October 1998, after the illness of the Treasurer in post. This, of course, involved the onerous task of sorting out back transactions, as well as the current task, all of which he sorted out before handing the job on in February 2000. He has worked tirelessly to try and modernise our processes, in particular to gather a team, computerise and thus ease the workloads of individual officers. George has also taken a considerable interest in the VOC Spares Company, and its relationship with the VOC. This originally took the form of being the Club’s ‘liaison officer’, and has developed until George now holds the position of Chairman of the Board of VOCS, in a period when VOCS have proven, by building one, that a complete Vincent engine is now possible using new parts, and may soon do the same for a complete motorcycle.
In recognition of George’s contribution, and in the expectation that he will continue in these efforts, George Spence was elected Vice President at the 2004 Annual General Meeting, appearing in the MPH listing from November 2004. At the time of writing, subsequent to Mark Goodson standing down, George is the Club’s sole Vice President. Next instalment — some ‘invisible’ Honorary Members.
J.P. Vereker*, 1962-1998
John Vereker was one of the Club’s long standing Members, although not owning a Vincent in his later years. In the earlier years of the Club, however, he was very active and hard working, having held the post of Hon. Sports Secretary in 1953, Hon. Secretary in 1954, and Hon. Treasurer from 1960 to 1962 — some of the most onerous positions in the Club (which was very sporting orientated in the early days). In 1962 John's work, and his experience, was recognised by his election to Vice President, which appeared from May MPH onwards. At the 1968 AGM, John Vereker was formally re-elected as one of the Vice Presidents, to conform with the rule change of the previous year.
In those days there was little in the way of ‘classic motorcycle’ activity, and VPs tended to fade from active Club life as their riding careers waned, and this is what eventually happened with John as well. In 1981 further rule changes were enacted, which not all VPs found acceptable. John Vereker, however, remained fully supportive of the Club at this troubled time, and willing to serve in whatever capacity required. As a result, from 1984 the Club had just a single Vice President listed (from December MPH) — John Vereker.
At this time John’s personal motorcycling activity was primarily concerned with keeping lowly Honda 50s on the road, cheaply. These were widely used by potential taxi drivers, busy learning ‘the knowledge’ — a process of learning London streets and routes by heart which is a pre-requisite to obtaining a licence to be one of the famous London ‘black cab’ drivers. Nevertheless, his interest in the VOC was renewed, and John rarely missed the business meetings of the Club thereafter (Executive Committee and General Committee Meetings). John did not throw his weight about, and quietly made his views known, but could be quite persistent when he felt the future of the VOC required it. John died on 23rd November 1998, and his obituary appeared in the January 1999 MPH. He is survived by his wife Tessa, now Tessa French.
*Deceased
To contact the Vincent H.R.D. Owners Club Forum Website Webmaster click HERE.
Last edited by a moderator: