Custom House Years
Home of the 'Appy Ammers'
The Lokeren Disaster
The Lokeren Disaster as it was to become known, was an accident involving a minibus on the road between Antwerp and Ghent in Belgium, carrying a West Ham select side home on the 14th of July 1970! Phil Bishop who organised and ran the tour, along with the riders Martyn Piddock, Gary Everitt, Peter Bradshaw and Malcom Carmichael were all killed! Stan Stevens, Gary Hay, Colin Pratt and Mechanic Rory Sullivan where all injured!
The 1970 Tour of Holland
The Following meetings where advertised in Holland as Demark v West Ham
Tilburgh, Sunday July 12th 1970
Amsterdam, Monday, July 13th 1970.
For details and pictures of these Meetings 
A successful trip marred by Accident
Taken from "Departed but not forgotten". Supplement to the Rye House Speedway Progamme (16th Aug 1970)
A SUCCESSFUL TRIP MARRED BY ACCIDENT
By Ernie Hancock
A problem over the papers for the machines was the next hitch at the customs but eventually the machines were loaded and tied on the back of a small open lorry and all the Equipment and luggage was installed in the Mini-coach. The party then set off for
Along the route a stop was made for a meal at a very appointed restaurant and dance hall. By coincidance this was only a couple of miles away from the spot of the tragic accident two days later.
The match at
The party were supposed to stay the night at
The following day the party had a very intresting time window shopping; at the beach where they played crazey golf befor returning to the hotel. Phil went to see a rider and old friend who was not expected to live more than a couple of days. He then collected the party to take them to
Another exciting match was seen, but this time the "Hammers" had won. The result of the match was "Hammers" 63; "Vikings" 57.
The Party left with many souvenirs of their visit after the a meal at the stadium restaurant. They left at 1 a.m. to maketheir way to the ferry at
Along the three lane trunk road between
After Ron Dyer noticed that the riders were not behind, he signalled the 18yr old Dutch driver of the lorry (who could not speak English) to turn round to see what was wrong.
Ron saw a site that he will never forget, doesn't want and in fact refuses to speak about.
It is reported that the mini coach colllided with the offside (left hand side) front of a trailer belonging to a 30-ton wood lorry loaded with tree trunks travelling in the opposite direction. Then struck the side of another wood lorry before finally being rammed by a petrol tanker and finishing against a farm house. The time about 5a.m.
Martyn Piddock and Mal Carmichael had died instantly while Peter Bradshaw, Phil Bishop and garry Everett died in hospital after emergancy operations. The mini-coach driver also died instantly leaving a widow and six children.
Ron Dyer spent 6 hours, non stop from 9 a.m. answering telephone calls from all over the world and giving details to newspapers and press agencies of speedway's worst ever disaster.
He was often still on one line while another call was waiting. An office had been speciallly prepared for him and the cliniquereceived more telephone calls in one day than it normally receives in a week. He then had to admit defeat and asked that no more calls be put through unless they were "official speedway calls"-"no more newspapers, please~" said Ron. He took a short rest and it was during that period that Gary Everett passed away. The hospital authorities did not wake him to tell him the sad news, they waited till he awoke.
Apart from the newspapers and officials that telephoned many calls were received from ordinary supporters.
Who were the ten members of the british party?
MARTYN PIDDOCK was the junior riding member of the party he was 22. He started his speedway career after being introduced to Johniee Hoskins by his great friend Reg Luckhurst. He progressed with the "Crusaders" and rode in the second half at West Ham whom helater joined, but remained on loan to the Kent team.
This season he joined the "Hammers" on full contract and Johnnie lost one of his star riders.
Martyn used to enjoy his sunday afternoons at Rye House and was very upset after giving up the chance to compete in the Ace of Herts Trophy last season, as he arranged to collect a machine from someone in
Being a Div 1 rider this season he was unable to ride here.
In less than 3 seasons he progressed from novice to international star and represented his country against
Martyn, Also a grass track star in kent,was sponsored on the speedway this year by Peter Elleker (former sponsor for Gary Middleton) and peter says he misses his tuesday morning calls saying please bring so-and-so to west ham. We will all miss this lad, who was a star of the future.
His brother David is entering the sport, and we hope carry the name of Piddock to the top of the tree.
Martyn Died Instantly from extensive head injuries and was cremated at Charring crematorium on the 22nd of july. over 100 cars left his home for the crematorium and over 250 people, Including many riders and officials were present including Graham Miles, Johnie Hoskins: Reg Luckhurst, Dave lanning; Des Lukehurst; Tony Clarke; Garry Hay; Sverre Harrfeldt; Ron Dyer and a long list of others too numerous to mention. Among the floral tributes was one from jim Crowhurst and peter White in
Traffic blocked the roads leading to charring and and police escorts were required!
MALCOLM CARMICHEAL. 26-year-old Mal Carmicheal came over early this season following an invitation from his friend
He had a few second half's particularly at Cradley Heath, West Ham , Romford and Reading and rode in two meetings here at Rye House. On both occassions he came fourth. In the Lea Valley Park Trophy he scored 9 points and in the Gerald Hussey Memorial he scored 12.
He was concerned about going to
He was looking forward to going to Ireland to represent the "Red devels" against selbourne Park, Instead they had to stand for one minute's silence as a tribute to Mal. he had many fans in his short existance in England and was showing great potential. Many British League clubs were intrested in signing him.
Mal also died instantly from serious internal injuries. His funeral took place on the 23rd of july at Melbourne (his home town)and many local speedway celebrities were among the mourners including Peter Moore.
He came to
At the start of 1970 he joined West h and bought over his wife Shirley and young son Scott (2). he was happy about his link with the "Hammers". Like Mal Carmichael he came from
He sustained a broken collar bone at
No news of Peter's funeral was available at press time.
The "King of Crash" PHIL BISHOP who had survived more crashes and broken bones than anyone also died in hospital following head injuries.
61-year old Phil and his wife Winifred were to have celebrated their 35th Wedding Anniversary the day that he died. They have two sons Phil 32 and Tony 27.
His younger son was quoted to have said his father lived for speedway (as we know) and it had been the biggest part of his life for over 42 years.
Over 60 people attended a service which was held at St. Edward's Catholic Church, Romford on 22nd July for the 45-minute mass, and the burial was carried out at
GARRY EVERETT (29) a guest with the team (a member of Wimbledons team) Died at approximately 3 p.m. from head injuries received.
He first rode scrambles and entered the British League with Hackney and stayed with the "Hawks" for three seasons, but thought a move might be to his best advantage and he moved across the river to Wimbledon He leaves a widow, Sylvia, and was only married about a year ago.
GARRY HAY was the luckiest of member of the party apart from Ron Dyer. Garry suffered sever lacerations to his head and neck which required heavy stitching.
He and ron Dyer returned home on the Thursday (16th July) and was at
The following tuesday after clearance from wembley Hospital and the track doctor Garry was back in action at Hammersville. It takes courage to do this , but that's what speedway riders are made of. Garry was the third Aussie in the party but he came from
RON DYER is the founder of the British Speedway Supporters Club and he got a terribleshock when he returned to the scene of the acciedent and saw his friends scattered around the wrecked vehicle. His transfers badges and programmes were also scatterd about.
after the accident he was a great assest to the hospital staff, injured, and authorities in this country.
ROY SULLIVAN (21) used to mechanic for his cousin Dingle Brown until Dingle met with his bad accident to his back, and then started to help Peter Bradshaw.
Roy and Colin pratt were transferred to a
COLIN PRATT (31) skipper of Cradley Heath, Started his Carrer here at Rye House befor moving on to Poole, Southampton,
Janet, Colins wife with some friends visited him in the clinique at Lokeren.
STAN STEVENS now in
Stan suffered a triple fracture of the pelvis, a triple fracture of the left leg, heavy facial injuries, and spent a time on the danger list befor returning to
Stan (36) another rider that started at Rye House was nominated novice of the year in 1960 while riding for Rayleigh and has also riden for Cradley Heath, New Cross, Oxford and Kings Lynn.
Doreen. Stan's Wife, and their mall son Barry, went to Lokeren and stayed with some friends for a short time to be with him.
Martyn, Mal, Peter, Phil and Garry have received their the final chequered flag, but while they have departed they will not be forgotten.
We send our heartfelt sympathies to those families bereaved by this tragic accident and our sincere wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured.
FATE
Colin Pratt experienced troubles with his machine at Cradley Heath and Roy Trigg nearly replaced him.
Sverre Harrfeldt nearly went but for an appointment already arranged.
Alan Sage could have gone but for a booking at Rye House.
Mel Carmichael was concerned about going because of a Rye House booking, but it was decided the experiance could be to his advantage.
Les Whiting a West Ham supporter had the offer to go but his work prevented him from joining the party.
Dingle Brown nearly joined the party in place of his cousin at the last minute. Dingle did go after the accident to help act as un-official liason officer in place of Ron Dyer who returned to
Lokeren Memorial Trophy
The Memorial Meeting Sunday 20th September 1970
Line up and scores
| Garry Hay | West Ham | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Martin Ashby | Exeter | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 13 |
| Roy Trigg | Cradley Heath | 1 | 1 | 1 | EF | 1 | 4 |
| Olle Nygren | West Ham | 0 | 1 | 3 | - | 1 | 6 |
| Christer Lofqvist | West Ham | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 14 |
| Ivan Mauger | Belle Vue | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 15 |
| Dave Gifford | Newcastle | EF | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Bert Harkins | Wembley | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Ray Wilson | Leicester | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| Malcom Simmons | Kings Lynn | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
| Toney Clarke | West Ham | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| Barry Briggs | Swindon | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 12 |
| Antonin Kasper | West Ham | 2 | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Ken Mckinlay | Coventry | 1 | EF | 0 | - | - | 1 |
| Terry Betts | Kings Lynn | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
| Rick France | Coventry | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| (r) Sverre Harrfeldt | West Ham | 0 | 1 | EF | EF | ||
| (r) Dave Piddock | Canterbury |
We shall Remember
Taken from the Memorial Programme, writen by Paul Parish Editor: Speedway Star and News
Those who failed to return from Lokeren
Everyone knew PHIL BISHOP. He was that sort of man. Anywhere speedway has been staged the name of Phil Bishop was famous. Typical of the universal popularity was the inclusion of an action picture of Phil in this year’s (1970)World Final program from Poland. But looking back on a career of 42yrs in speedway it was little wonder that he became so famous, more famous than men that have become World champion!
Phil rode nearly everywhere speedway was staged and was disappointed by the fact that he never had the chance to appear in Japan of the Soviet Union. His Speedway racing life started at High Beech in 1928 when he took part in the meeting that is popularly favored as Britains first look at dirt track racing. Phil would recall he fell off! In the ensuing years Phil became aquatinted with as many hospitals as he had countries. He broke every bone in his body at some stage of his racing career.
When the time came for him to retire from riding Phil a wheelwright by trade, became a keen administrator. He linked with West Ham as team manager where his experience and fatherly guidance were invaluable to the young men at his command.
He retained a link with Holland where his track deeds had made him a hero. It was from one of his trips to Holland-the last for speedway, he had said- that this most orrible tragedy occurred.
Phil Bishop pioneer, sportsman and gentleman, will be remembered whenever the sound of a speedway engine can be heard.
Instant successes are rare in speedway. But in its own way, PETER BRADSHAW'S 1st appearance in Britain was one of those occasions.
It was for Kings Lynn’s second team in 1969 and Peter did well enough to show Lynn that he was Division One material. After that he stayed in the top flight and earned his international colours. At the beginning of 1970 season the good looking man from Melbourne switched to West Ham. It was a move that delighted him. With a wife and son he settled down in Britain, living near Harlow. His Stay at west Ham was all too brief. During that time he broke a collar bone and it was not long after he had been Declared fit to race again that the tragedy of Lokeren befell him.
It takes courage to come half way round the world to try your luck in speedway. But MALCOLM CARMICHAEL,another young man from Melbourne , did that without very little warning.
He palled up with Roy Trigg in Australia and in fact was living with Triggy in South London at the time of the Lokeren tragedy. It was Trigg who suggested that Mal should try his luck in Britain. A Number of tracks gave the young Aussie a chance in their second halves, Including West Ham. It seemed that a team place in either Division 0ne or Two wouldn’t be too long coming. Phil Bishop invited Mal on the trip to Holland and he accepted any chance of a ride, any chance to broaden his experience.
It is Ironic that Carmicheal’s story should run on a similar lines to that of Dave Wills (another tragedy), a young Australian who tried his luck with West Ham six years earlier, only to die to a track crash at Custom House.
Charichael was keen to succeed. He was never given the chance.
Popular wherever he traveled. That was GARY EVERETT, the Wimbledon rider who made a fateful guest appearance in West Hams colours on the trip to Lokeren.
Everyone liked Gary and his loss came at a time when he was establishing himself as a vital part of Wimbledon’s league and cup double bid. His first association with motorcycles was on the scramble circuits but he moved on to speedway where he first made a name for at Hackney before deciding that it might be better for his future if he had a change of track. It was then that Gary, Married for only a year before his death, made the move across London to Wimbledon. He quickly fitted into the way of life at Plough Lane and his friendly personality endeared him to Dons fans .
Surprisingly Gary had been riding league speedway for no more than two and a half seasons. Who will ever weather he would become a leading figure in the sport he loved?
England had already honored MARTYN PIDDOCK at full international level. That after just two years of racing experience. Piddock was one of the new brigade. A product of division Two a young man set for great things in speedway life.
In Kent he was a grass tracker of no mean ability and when Canterbury opened at the beginning of 1968 Martyn was immediately put in their team. All the time he was being kept on West Ham’s short list for future stardom and after two years of Division Two grooming he moved into custom house.
The miserable luck that haunted West Ham even before Lokeren an extra burden on this young man and it said much of his ability that he became a valuable point scoring member of the hammers septet.
The way was clear for Martyn to reach the speedway heights. Alas, we shall never know weather he was one Englishman who could have challenged the world.
The Managers thoughts!
Hammer Time....By Gordon Parkins
This article appeared in the West Ham speedway programme on 21st July 1970
We at West Ham are shocked and stunned by the vicious and tragic turn of fate that overtook the members of the West Ham team and other members of the touring party in the ghastly accident which occurred in Belgium last week. We cannot ever hope, by words, to express the horror, the very deep sorrow that we feel at the passing of so many fine sportsmen...out friends, comrades, the people who were an integral part of our organisation, the life-blood of West Ham itself. On behalf of our Directors, out staff, our riders, our supporters, and everyone at Custom House, I send our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the wives, parents and relatives of our unfortunate comrades. We shall not forget them, the passing of time may dull the ache in our hearts but the memory of these fine people, man of them in the bloom of youth, will live with us forever.
We shall remember the cheery smile and curly hair of Martyn Piddock, the impish grin and dark good looks of Peter Bradshaw, the energy and youthful looks of Gary Everett, the zest and determination of Malcom Carmichael, the sincerity and devotion of Phil Bishop to the sport that was and always had been his whole life. Gentlemen of speedway, our sport has been richer and warmer by your presence.
We are pleased to report that at the time of going to press, news of the survivors is encouraging. Most seriously injured, Colin Pratt, is reported to be improving steadily. We sincerely hope and trust he will continue to do so. Stan Stevens with a broken leg and facial injuries is off the danger list, as is mechanic Ray Sullivan, whilst Garry Hay, with head and facial injuries is expected to be released from hospital well before you read these notes. Every praise is due to Ron Dyer who escaped with severe bruising and shock, and who took command of the tragedy and mounted a twenty four hour telephone vigil at the hospital.
The fans thoughts
Lokeren....by
Robert J. Rogers
I was 17 and walking down Whitechapel High Street in East London on a sunny Tuesday in July 1970, when a newspaper newspaper in the air and shouted the headline, as they did in them days, "Local Speed Aces Killed". I saw, to my horror, faces that I knew from standing next to the pits every Tuesday night.
I still shiver when I think of it. We went to the stadium that Tuesday night when the Hammers did not race, we were back there the following week - when the crossed Hammers flag and the Union flag hung together at half mask.
I put a mention each July on to Newham Council's local history page each year, the lads will never be forgotten.
A lasting memory of Phil Bishop was watching him and the Russian captain Igor Plechanov in the pits discussing gearing for the large West Ham track, neither could speak the others language, but international speedway sign language meant we ALL understood what gear was needed!!!
Harry Ward As a youngster in the Summers of the mid to late sixties my Tuesdays were spent at West Ham watching my idols race speedway. But two weeks in every year I was taken to the Isle of Wight for our annual holidays. I had just turned fifteen when in July 1970 we went on our trip to the Isle of Wight. I distinctly remember my Dad and I playing cricket outside our chalet. We were called in for tea by my Mum. We sat listening to the radio while drinking our tea. The news bulletin came on and I froze as I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I remember the newscasters exact words..."four members of the West Ham speedway team have been killed when their mini bus crashed in Belgium"
I just wanted to go home. I needed to be at the track with all the other supporters.
That Tuesday's meeting was cancelled but, still on holiday I phoned the track for details of the next Tuesday's meeting. Gone were Martyn Piddock and Peter Bradshaw from our team along with our manager the "rubber man" himself Phil Bishop. I didn't really know Mal Charmichael who was a junior but Wimbledon's Garry Everett was also gone. For the forseeable future it was down to guests as Garry Hay and Stan Stevens were also injured in that crash.
The next meeting I saw Garry Hay was back by some miracle. We soldiered on that year but I think the disaster in Lokeren was the beginning of the end for the Hammers.
Two years ago whilst on ebay I found the programmes for the two West Ham meetings in Holland prior to the accident. I acquired them from a man in Canada. He emigrated there but was actually at those meetings. The programmes are among my most treasured Speedway momentos.
Sadly Garry Hay was badly injured in a track crash in Australia later that year leaving him wheelchairbound. Last year I managed to get his address from Peter White but I have yet to find the courage to write to him. How ironic that he was the least injured of all the parties in that bus only to break his back in a track crash.
I look back and think that this was the blackest day in speedway but I would be wrong. Many times since riders have lost their lives in tragic circumstance. People say that speedway is a family and I believe this to be true. Unfortunately we lose some of our family from time to time but it has to be said that "They are gone but not forgotten" . My heroes were taken but the memories remain. 
