Help Finding an Ancestor Who Raced Motorcycles

[SonofSussex]

My mother - surname Pollitt, b. 1906 in Manchester - always used to mention that one of her uncles used to race motorcycles on the Isle of Man.  I have always assumed that his name was Pollitt but I suppose it could have been Prescott, which was my maternal grandmother's maiden name.

In any case, does anyone know how I might pursue this?  I really don't know where to start.

[The Mc]

This site might be of interest.....the history of AJS motorcycles and TT racing.....in it it mentions a H V Prescott racing......could that be him?

http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Transport/Motorcycles/ajs4.htm

[The Mc]

Found another article in 1928 on H V Prescott so this could well be him......

http://www.motoringpicturelibrary.com/preview_image.asp?lcID=540&page=66&fleID=10722

[Jool]

Hi, found this link which mentions him racing for Scott Motorcycles in 1914

http://britishclassicmotorcycles.com/Scott.html

Jool

[Jool]

There is a WW1 Army Pension record for a Harry Vernon Prescott b. 1893 Manchester in the Army Service Corps, his trade is recorded as Motor Driver.  Next of kin listed as Henry Prescott, father, living at Roselands Park Road, Timperley, Cheshire.

1901 census, Park Road, Timperley, Cheshire
Henry Prescott, head, b. 1856 Salford
Emma Prescott, wife, b. 1858 Burnley
Beatrice Prescott, daur, b. 1881 Salford
Harry Vernon Prescott, son, b. 1894 Manchester

Also, a Royal Aero Club Aviators Cert
Border Flying Club, Carlisle 25.01.1936
Harry Vernon Prescott b. 3 Aug 1893 Manchester
Insurance Manager

There is more info available about him, but firstly, do you think we have the right fella?

Jool

[SonofSussex]

Yes!  Harry Vernon Prescott was my mother's maternal uncle.  Thank you so much.

I do feel like an idiot because I had seen the pension record but completely overlooked the 'driver' comment.  On the other hand, it might have had no effect as up until recently I had thought my mother was referring to a Pollitt uncle.

Seeing a picture of him in one of the links is definitely an unexpected bonus!

[SonofSussex]

Forgot to ask.....

Jool, you said that there is more info available about Henry V. Prescott.  Would you please elaborate.

Thanks.

[Jool]

Hi,

The other info is birth, marriage, death of Harry V Prescott, birth and marriage of his son (also Harry V Prescott).  I didn't list these details in case we had the wrong man, or you already had the info.  If you need it just shout and I will post it.

If you search the internet for H V Prescott with the word motorcycle, isle of man, AJS or similar you may find other details of his racing career.

Coincidentally, I live in Wolverhampton where the AJS motorcycles were made, my ancestors were born and lived in the area around the factory.

Jool

[SonofSussex]

Hi, Jool,

I do have BMD information on Harry Vernon Prescott but my data on his son is very general.  I know the son married a woman by the name of Timperley but I can't find her first name.  I also have some information on the grandson whose name is - are you ready? - Harry V. Prescott.

Only Harry Sr. had any connection to the Isle of Man.