The Sir Henry Royce Foundation The evolving role of Henry Royce engineering. Enter Site

Walter Owen Bentley Born: 16 September 1888, Hampstead, England Died: 13 August 1971 (aged 82), Woking, England Nationality: English Occupation: Engineer In 1931 Rolls-Royce acquired Bentley, the small sports/racing car maker and potential rival, after the latter's finances failed to weather the onset of the Great Depression. Rolls-Royce stopped production of the new big Bentley 8 Litre, which was threatening sales of their current Phantom, disposed of remaining Bentley assets and made use of just the Bentley name and its repute. After some years of development Rolls-Royce produced a new quite different ultra-civilised medium-size range of Bentleys advertising them as "the silent sports car". They were very much in the Rolls-Royce mould. From soon after World War II until 2002 standard Bentley and Rolls-Royce cars were often very nearly identical apart from the radiator grille and minor details. Interesting snippets .... The famous “Winged B” hood ornament was designed with forgers in mind. As a counter to the red-hot faux hood ornament market, there’s actually a different number of feathers on each side, in the hopes that forgers wouldn’t notice. Headquartered in Crewe, England, the company was founded as Bentley Motors Limited by W. O. Bentley in 1919 in Cricklewood, North London—and became widely known for winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, and 2003. Woolf Barnato was a wealthy playboy who raced cars for fun. He ran at Le Man three times, winning all three, then took over as CEO from W.O. Bentley after Rolls-Royce took over the company. Rolls-Royce took over the assets of Bentley Motors (1919) Ltd and formed a subsidiary, Bentley Motors (1931) Ltd. Rolls-Royce had acquired the Bentley showrooms in Cork Street, the service station at Kingsbury, the complex at Cricklewood and the services of Bentley himself. Bentley had neglected to register their trademark so Rolls-Royce immediately did so. They also sold the Cricklewood factory in 1932. Production stopped for two years, before resuming at the Rolls-Royce works in Derby. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the resulting Great Depression throttled the demand for Bentley's expensive motor cars. On 10 July 1931 a receiver was appointed. The British Central Equitable Trust made a winning sealed bid of £125,000. British Central Equitable Trust later proved to be a front for Rolls-Royce Limited. In 1934 Barnato was appointed to the board of the new Bentley Motors (1931) Ltd. Until some time after World War II, most high-end motorcar manufacturers like Bentley and Rolls-Royce did not supply complete cars. They sold rolling chassis, near-complete from the instrument panel forward. Each chassis was delivered to the coach builder of the buyer's choice. The biggest specialist car dealerships had coachbuilders build standard designs for them which were held in stock awaiting potential buyers. All Bentleys produced from 1931 to 2004 used inherited or shared Rolls-Royce chassis, and adapted Rolls-Royce engines, and are described by critics as badge-engineered Rolls-Royces. W. O. Bentley was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1995. " . . . In the eyes of those who own, have owned, or aspire to own, one of the 3,040 Bentley cars designed and built by the 'old' Bentley company under the leadership of "W. O." he was admired and respected—indeed, I think, loved is not too strong a word—for to know his cars was to know him. During his working life "W. O." suffered a series of ups and downs which might have broken a lesser man. It certainly marked him and it was a disillusioned "W. O." I first met 25 years ago [1946]. . . . "W. O." has said that the pleasure he derived in the post-war years from Club activities; from making new friends among its members; and from seeing the loving care bestowed upon 'his' cars has more than compensated for all his earlier disappointments." "The six years during which I worked for "W. O." were a period of education and pleasure. His modesty, lack of pretension, mental honesty and reasonableness endeared him to those in contact with him, and his over-riding interest in the improvement of the car provided the education in a period which included the post-war ​2 1⁄2-litre Lagonda development, schemes for 4 and 8 cylinder derivatives, for the pursuit of shorter strokes in engines, for a small transverse-engined front wheel drive car and for a performance engine for the Morris Minor in place of the 850cc side valve engine it then endured. Though normally of reflective habit his experience showed him when swift action was necessary, and he could be very determined in pursuing it. Big enough to admit mistakes when they had occurred, he also knew when to modify and when to start afresh in remedying them. It is a pity that circumstances prevented his influence on car development from being greater than it was. Though motoring and motor cars were his life he retained a keen interest in locomotives." Mr Donald Bastow.

Evelyn Maud Mill; From servant to socialite. By Paul Tritton Who wouldn't love to open a long lost suitcase to find love letters, photographs and more? This is how renowned researcher Paul Tritton discovered family papers, photographs, memorabilia and love letters not published previously to reveal the identity of the elusive 'Mrs Wigs'. Anyone interested in the story of Rolls-Royce or the influence of a strong minded woman in the fast living 1920's will enjoy this biography. Tritton details how Evelyn Maud Mill, who was born into impoverishment in London, began her working life scenes ‘in service' to become the lover, mistress and then stylish second wife of the famous English business man and socialite, Claude Goodman Johnson. It is a true love story about Claude, who's often referred to as 'the hyphen in Rolls-Royce' and his passionate affair then lifestyle with 'Mrs Wigs' until his death. To date, only Claude's successful business prowess in motoring ventures and enterprise is known, not the supportive woman in his life and the sensitive, musical, family and fun loving world behind the scenes. All this when he was promoting the R-R Silver Ghost; 'the best car in the world' fame. Paul Tritton has illuminated the social history of the 1920's in England and the south of France in this highly readable book. Evelyn and Claude come alive on the pages and enrich the human side of the major personalities in the Rolls-Royce story. It will appeal to any reader of social or business history, to Rolls-Royce and motoring aficionados and anyone desiring insights on how women contributed to successful business ventures a century ago. ​ Paul Tritton is the renowned British author and historical researcher especially within the world of Rolls-Royce. He was the feature writer for Rolls-Royce Motors "Journal" and has written several books about Rolls-Royce; "John Montagu of Beaulieu: Motoring Pioneer and Prophet" in 1985, "The Godfather of Rolls-Royce: The Life and Times of Henry Edmunds" in 1993 and finally "When Rolls and Royce made history on Dover's White Cliffs" in 2016. Paul has written several books ranging in topic from the first sound recording made by Queen Victoria, the loss of a wartime RAF Stirling bomber in the battle of Holland, to several books on the city of Canterbury and how a small town in Kent prepared for a possible Nazi invasion. Paul has been interested in the personal life of Claude Johnson since the 75th anniversary of Rolls-Royce when he was researching Henry Edmunds who famously introduced Henry Royce and Charles Rolls to each other in 1904. Claude Johnson also played a major role in the Rolls-Royce company and is often referred to as the ‘’hyphen in Rolls-Royce’’. But who was “Mrs Wigs’’ by his side? From wide research and consultation with family descendants, Paul has now found Mrs Wigs and revealed Evelyn Maud Mill’s influential life. Initially Paul was uncertain whether to include Claude’s deeply personal love letters to Mrs Wigs. But social life has become more liberal over the decades and personal lives are entwined with the public persona. Paul is a biographer with a thirst for detail and accuracy and writes with sensitivity. Review by SHRF Trustee - Jeanne Eve

Foundation Policies Collection Policy Conservation & Preservation Policy Supporting the SHRF Privacy Policy Instrument Creating the Sir Henry Royce Foundation

Lionel Gell School of Instruction Click here for Press Release for the opening of the Lionel Gell School of Instruction for Rolls-Royce and Bentley Owners Below are a collection of photos - and below that is a wonderful video on the school. Lionel Gell School RROCA Members can take full advantage of this equipped facility. Lionel Gell School RROCA Members can take full advantage of this equipped facility. Lionel Gel School of Instruction Lionel Gell School RROCA Members can take full advantage of this equipped facility. 1/9

Establishment of the Foundation (cont....) The Sir Henry Royce Foundation Australia was initiated when David Ekberg, a Member of the Victoria Branch of the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club of Australia (RROCA), having been impressed with what the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation had achieved in the UK, conceived the idea of forming a similar organisation in Australia. David promoted the idea of an Australian foundation to the RROCA Federal Council, where David Vann was the then Federal President. David Vann and Ian Dunn (Federal Secretary) tirelessly pursued David Ekberg’s idea and approached Malcolm Johns, an Honorary Life Member of the RROCA to advise on how such a foundation could be formed. At the Federal Rally of the RROCA in Wollongong on the 28th April 1996 it was agreed that “an irrevocable Trust for charitable purposes be established” and that it be called “The Sir Henry Royce Foundation Australia”. The founding trustees were David C Jones AM OBE (Chairman), James C Kelso and David G Vann OAM. The inaugural Trustees then invited Malcolm N Johns to be the fourth Trustee. Over time, there have been changes in the people serving as a Trustee. David Jones retired and David Vann became Chairman. David Neely and David Davis were appointed as Trustees. Russell Rolls was appointed as a Trustee. David Davis, Malcolm Johns and David Neely retired. David Vann retired as Chairman but remained a Trustee with Russell Rolls taking over as Chairman. Frank Carroll, Brian Crump and Eric Henderson were appointed as Trustees. David Vann retired as a Trustee. Jeanne Eve was appointed a Trustee, followed by Wallace Moorhouse. Clare Lukes appointed as a Trustee in 2023. The current Trustees are ; Brian Crump (Chairman), Frank Carroll, Russell Rolls, Jeanne Eve, Eric Henderson, Wallace Moorhouse and Clare Lukes The Trust Deed states: “The charitable objects of The Foundation are the advancement of the science and technology of mechanical engineering for public benefit and the advancement of education.” It went on to state that “The collection policy is to collect, document and exhibit any objects whatsoever illustrating or connected with the science of mechanical engineering and especially related to the work of Sir Henry Royce.” “The Collection is to include such items as: The published and unpublished records of experiments, research and work of the late Sir Henry Royce, Any objects whatsoever illustrating or connected with the science of mechanical engineering as it relates to Sir Henry Royce, Those items that illustrate the activities associated with motor car manufacture, sale and distribution.” The Foundation was officially launched on the 1st October 1999 at a meeting of interested supporters at the Fox Classic Car Museum in Melbourne at which there was a gallery displaying cars, engines, motors, models, photographs, memorabilia and related items by then collected and assembled by the Trustees. Until The Foundation was able to establish its own premises, many years later, much of the collection was on public display at the Fox Museum. There was a steady growth in donated funds, artifacts and memorabilia that forms the basis of the present collection. The Foundation found support from established organisations such as the Museums Victoria and the Australian War Memorial who loaned historic Rolls-Royce aero engines for display. As an indication of the confidence placed in The Foundation for the preservation of the Australian heritage of Rolls-Royce, the two ex-Australian Government “royal” Phantom V limousines have been donated to The Foundation by separate donors. In 2010, following a very generous donation from Jean Allsep, The Foundation was able to purchase a substantial building at Rowville (an outer suburb of Melbourne) in which The Foundation’s collection is now housed. These premises, Bill Allsep House (BAH), are named after Jean’s late husband, Bill, a long-time, enthusiastic Member of the Victoria Branch of the RROCA. Under the terms of a legal agreement between The Foundation and the Victoria Branch of the RROCA, the Branch has the use of Bill Allsep House as their club rooms with the day-to-day costs of occupancy being met by the Branch. In 2014, following a very generous donation from Lionel Gell (a long-standing Member of the Victoria Branch of the RROCA), a second property was acquired nearby in Rowville. These premises, the Lionel Gell School of Instruction for Rolls-Royce and Bentley (LGSI), have been set up with car hoists, benches and workshop facilities specifically to accord with the educational objectives of The Foundation – to promulgate the engineering ethos of Sir Henry Royce and his successors to a wider community. LGSI is used, in part, by the Technical Section of the RROCA Victoria Branch for regular seminars. The Foundation’s archival records collection is housed in Bill Allsep House was maintained by Gilbert Ralph until his retirement in 2021 and are now maintained under Russell Rolls and the BAH group of dedicated volunteers. This archival collection ranges from books, magazines, brochures, RROCA and Branch historical documentation to service records from Australian Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealers. Further, The Foundation has a collection of over 20,000 photographic images documenting the history of the Club, the cars and the Company in Australia. This is a valuable resource for Club Members and for wider historical research. The Foundation also houses the archival collection from the Australian Chapter of the 20 Ghost Club. Australia is a vast country with population centres thousands of kilometres apart in different States. As the main Archives of the Sir Henry Royce Foundation are housed in Melbourne Victoria, it was decided that two Sub-Archives be established in Queensland; one a museum and the other a showroom. In Brisbane, items with special Queensland provenance are housed along with any copies of archival material from Melbourne. In Coolum, the large new premises is the showroom for the larger aero and ‘C‘ series Diesel engines as well as the second ex vice - regal Phantom V. Details of all Queensland catalogued items are forwarded to the Archivist for the central database of the SHRF. All items are subject to the same archival and cataloguing policies and procedures as the main SHRF Archive. The SHRF has legal ownership of all the material under the care of the curator of the Coolum premises, but all these materials will remain in Queensland for display as the core Sub-Archives, Queensland. ​ Originally in Queensland the SHRF had the Geebung Museum which was opened on 2 June 2018. It has five rooms of books and technical displays, various engines displayed in the front showroom, the Royce room, the Bentley room, tools and equipment and a TV room plus several bookshelves and cabinets of memorabilia. Car clubs and other interest groups regularly visit. The Geebung Museum was closed in June 2022 due to the sale of the building. ​ The Coolum Showroom of the Foundation was officially opened on 17 November 2018 by Federal MP Ted O’Brien. It contains 620 square metres of air-conditioned displays including 5 notable Rolls-Royce engines (including a 1945 Merlin aero engine), 340 model cars, archives, books and 7 very special Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars. It is open to the public (in normal times, without pandemic) on the first Saturday of each month, 7am to 10am, in conjunction with “Sunshine Coast Cars n Coffee” plus other times, by appointment, for car clubs and other special interest groups. The Sir Henry Royce Foundation Australia is now an important element of the worldwide movement to preserve the historical artefacts and documentation relating to the engineering ethos of Sir Henry Royce and to the Rolls-Royce and Bentley marques. The Foundation’s collection includes historically important aircraft engines, ex Australia Government “royal” Phantom Vs and an extensive archive of printed material and photographs, primarily related to Australian topics. The educational objective of The Foundation is served by the collection being open to all.

Ex Vice-Regal Silver Shadow Chassis Number LRH24643 A new Rolls-Royce for the Governor of Victoria was ordered in July 1975. The model was a Silver Shadow with a long wheel base and a division which the company had first produced for Princess Margaret. The colour scheme for vice-regal cars is Black over Cardinal Red with a parchment interior. The coachbuilt features of the car include an everflex roof, a privacy rear window, dual air conditioning systems and dual stereo systems. As the Governor has diplomatic immunity, the car (particularly the division) was exempt from the Australian Design Rules. Chassis number LRH24643 was shipped in July 1976 in a container on the ‘Kangourou” and delivered to the Governor on 8 September 1976. This car is the third of four Rolls-Royce cars purchased by the People of Victoria for Sir Henry Winneke during his term as Governor of Victoria. As the vice-regal car, it was not registered and displayed only the Royal Crown while conveying the Governor to all official events including hosting Prince Charles and other foreign dignatories. After 80,000 kilometers the car was traded in on its replacement and first registered in November 1978. In private hands the car was enjoyed by a property developer, a solicitor, a company director and as a wedding hire car until acquired by the Henderson family in July 1992 with 200,000 kilometers on the dial. In the 28 year custody of the Henderson family the car received all of the maintenance it needed including repairs to the gearbox, differential, ignition, carburettors, brakes and air conditioning. While the car has never been involved in an accident, it was refurbished in 2002 with a bare metal repaint and cosmetic detailing. As a member of the Henderson family the car participated in many Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club of Australia events. Eric was President of the Victoria Branch from 2002 to 2005 and Federal President from 2006 to 2009. Eric organised many rallies and the car was used to lead Western District Weekends, Overlanders to Federal Rallies and the Australian leg of the Centennial World Tour in 2004. The Henderson family is pleased that the Sir Henry Royce Foundation is the next custodian and will ensure that the provenance and significance of this car, now 45 years old with 315,000 kilometres on the dial, is preserved for future generations. Photo to the right is with its new Government and the SHRF sandwich board prepared by Government custodian Glenn Clarke. Photo taken at the RROCA-VIC Concours at Xavier College on 16 January 2022. The Car : Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Year : 1976 Registration : GOV Chassis No : LRH24643 Coach: Saloon LWB with Division Lineage : Australian Commonwealth Ex Vice Regal car Special Features: an everflex roof, a privacy rear window, dual air conditioning systems and dual stereo systems ​

Peking to Paris Of special note: The SHRF Phantom V 5VF159 completed the 1997 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge. It took 45 days. Went for 16,000 kilometres across snow capped Himalayas at 5,000 metres and three deserts under scorching sun. Owner/Drivers on the rally: John Matheson & Jeanne Eve. Below is a wonderful photo book of their trip. Enjoy.

Printed Materials Collection The Foundation boasts a huge archive of printed materials. From GA Drawings, books, magazines, books, service records and much, much more. A wonderful and searchable (yes really) collection of the RROCA Praeclarum magazine from 1960 to 2010 is also available. We hope to be able to add from 2010 to current in the not too distant future. Click on this link to access: http://praeclarum.rroc.org.au/ PAINT CODES Colour Names and Cross-References for Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motor Cars for Postwar Vehicles - 1946 to 1999 - click HERE . Below is a collection of photos and a few short videos from the Printed Materials archives. GA (general assembly) detail for hanger of exhaust of 20/25HP. Service records from York Motors, Sydney. 1914 Silver Ghost catalogue limousine - early model. GA (general assembly) detail for hanger of exhaust of 20/25HP. 1/22 SHRF - Catalogues (G Ralph) Play Video SHRF - Ian Irwin (Research and books) Play Video SHRF - The Dunlop Book (as told by Gilbert Ralph) Play Video SHRF - Books - RR Aircraft Engines (as told by J Reis) Play Video SHRF - Principal Publications (as told by Gilbert Ralph) Play Video SHRF - Books General (as told by John Reis) Play Video SHRF - Magazines (as told by Bryan Harper) Play Video Printed Materials Watch Now SHRF - Ian Irwin (Research and books) Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close

Memorabilia Since 2012, the Foundation's Honorary Archivist, Gilbert Ralph, has been informing Members of the RROCA in their bi-monthly magazine, Præclarvm, of items in the Archive which are part of the story of Rolls-Royce and Bentley in Australia. These articles are the result of intense research by Gilbert and his team of volunteers searching through the Foundation’s many documents and photographs. Following the photo gallery and video below, there are several short research articles really do make for great reading. They are presented here to give some indication of the amount and depth of information retained in the Foundation’s Archive at Bill Allsep House. Reefer jacket worn by Patrick Kane White. Illustrations from R-R books depicting the Cook Street Works, England. Self modelled statue by Charles Sykes. Reefer jacket worn by Patrick Kane White. 1/14 SHRF - Russell Burge memorabilia (as told by Russell Rolls) Play Video Russell Burge Memorabilia Collection Watch Now Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close A Brace of Phantom V's Præclarvm 5-17, page 7245 David Neely, the Foundation's NSW Historical Consultant, tells of the service of the 2 SHRF Phantoms in the Commonwealth Government fleet. A Selection of Cars from Queensland Præclarvm 5-17, page 7254 Gilbert Ralph, the SHRF Honorary Archivist, delves in to the photo archives for Queensland cars. A Brace of Cars from South Australia Præclarvm 6-16, page 7074 In this two-page spread some of the Archive’s photos of South Australian members' cars of the past are featured. Researchers visit the Archive Præclarvm 5-16, page 7037 In this edition the Honorary Archivist gives details of a group of motoring researchers who visited the Archive to tap the information in the historic material it holds. As well there is an article on materials the Archive was given at the 2016 RROCA Federal Rally in Bendigo. A Brace of Cars from Western Australia Præclarvm 5-16, pages 7038 In this two page spread some of the Archive's photos of Western Australia members' cars of the past are featured. The Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Præclarvm 4-16, pages 7002 Following the 2-16 edition of Bentley's in the immediate post-war period, displayed here are the Rolls-Royce offerings from 1947 when the Silver Wraith was introduced. These early cars were mostly recognised from their use of Lucas P.100 and R.100 headlamps, and radiator mounted ahead of the front axle centreline, the latter common to only two pre-World War Two Rolls-Royce types: the 25/30hp Wraith and Phantom III. The Bentley MkVI Præclarvm 2-16, pages 6930 Here the Honorary Archivist displays several of the special bodied examples of the Bentley Mk VI model that were available in the immediate post-war period. The photos were provided by the coachbuilders to enable customers to select from the range of special bodies available. Amy Johnson’s Rolls-Royce Identified Præclarvm 1-16, pages 6900 Here the Honorary Archivist recounts how in Issue 4-15 of Præclarvm, p6779, he contributed an article about Amy Johnson in which it was suggested that the Silver Ghost she was riding in was 65LK and asked if any reader was able to confirm that. But immediate response from two members corrected that Chassis Number to 34YG, which leads to an interesting history of that motor car. Charles Sykes Revisited Præclarvm 1-16, pages 6892 The Foundation’s Honorary Archivist describes the recent donation of a figurine of Charles Sykes. The Spirit; Celebrating 75 Years of the Rolls-Royce Motor Car Præclarvm 6-15, pages 6858 This book of 24 pages features water colour scenes of Rolls-Royce motor cars being enjoyed by owners in the years 1904 to 1979. The book includes an Introduction by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu who describes early motoring and his love of Rolls-Royce motor cars, lamenting ‘there are too many of them. Part 2 of a 2 part selection of the water colours. Amy Johnson and Rolls-Royce Præclarvm 4-15, page 6779 The Honorary Archivist of the Foundation describes finding, in a collection of newspaper cuttings, the attached coloured picture featuring a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost carrying Amy Johnson around the Geelong Racecourse. The search is then on to identify the car. The Sir Henry Royce Foundation Archive and You Præclarvm 2-15, pages 6710 - 6713 The Honorary Archivist of the Foundation describes how the Collection Policy of the Foundations is achieved through the ‘collection, documentation and exhibiting of any objects whatsoever illustrating or connected with the science of mechanical engineering and especially related to the work of Sir Henry Royce.’ James Young Body Photos from the John Bull Collection Præclarvm 1-15, page 6678 Following on from Præclarvm 6-14, this edition shows photos from James Young Ltd body designs from the late 1940s through to 1965. Hooper Body Photos from the John Bull Collection Præclarvm 6-14, page 6642 Recently donated to the Foundation was material from the collection of the late John Bull, a member of the RROCA, South Australia Branch. Shown here is a selection of photos sent to him in 1967 by the then Managing Director of Hooper & Co (Bodybuilders) Ltd, Osmond F. Rivers. The Angas Family and Their Pre-War Motor Cars Præclarvm 4-14, page 6567 / Præclarvm 5-14, page 6605 The Angas family are a well-known and respected family of pastoralists descended from George Fife Angas, who became Chairman and a major shareholder of The South Australian Company. In 1909 Charles H. Angas was the first person to import a Rolls-Royce into South Australia, and he and his three sons, Ronald, Dudley and Keith, all became enthusiastic motorists. This photograph album highlights their choices in exotic cars. The Barr Smiths and their Proper Motor Cars Præclarvm 2-14, page 6486 Over three generations, the Barr Smith family of South Australia had at least 24 Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars, which may well place them in the category of the most prolific owners/users of those two marques in Australia.. Claude Mason and his Cars Præclarvm 1-14, page 6462 Members and visitors to Bill Allsep House will admire the unique models of a Silver Ghost and a 20hp on display amongst the Foundation‘s collection. Both 2-metre-long models are the work of one man: the late Claude Mason. A selection of photographs from David Shmith Præclarvm 3-13, page 6310 Here are photographs of particular interest because of their Australian content. They were donated by David Shmith, former Managing Director of York Motors in Sydney. David’s father, Maurice Shmith, joined Tarrant Motors in 1904 as a car washer, and by 1910 he was Sales Manager. With some partners he established Yellow Cabs in 1924, and in 1932 he was instrumental in the formation of York Motors, Sydney, of which he was Managing Director until succeeded by his son, David. Do you have an Australian Body? Præclarvm 2-13, page 6280 If you are a lucky owner of a body built by one of the 83 known Australian coachbuilders who have designed and constructed coachwork on Rolls-Royce or Bentley motors cars in Australia, and you want to know more about the firm in question, this article may have something of interest to you. One man’s contribution to the SHRF Archive Præclarvm 6-12, page 6209 One of the functions of the Sir Henry Royce Foundation, Australia, is to collect anything related to Sir Henry Royce. The Archive is the repository of the Foundation’s collection, and attendees at meetings of the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club, Victoria Branch, have the opportunity to see some of the larger items on display in the meeting room. Others who venture into the Archive itself see very little apart from a vast collection of archive boxes stored neatly on the rows of shelving. The most recent of these contains a small selection of the hundreds of items donated by one man: David Neely. James Radley beats a train from London to Monte Carlo Præclarvm 5-12, page 6172 James Radley (1884-1959), the English adventurer, shared a passion for ballooning, flying and motor racing with the Hon. Charles Rolls. But unlike Rolls he survived his numerous exploits and died an old man. Radley competed in the Austrian Alpine Trials of 1912, 1913 and 1914 in three different Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts; 1930E, 2206E and 18PB respectively. He was successful in the latter two events – but that is another story which will no doubt be featured during 2013, the centenary of his first success. There is however a lesser-known motoring event for which he received notoriety in November 1913: he broke the speed record for motoring between London and Monte Carlo in a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, 2521, a 1913 model with a light tourer body fashioned by his own Portholme Coach Works business in Huntingdon, UK.