Plymouth - Royal Marine Barracks
Durnford Street : PL1 3QS
Plymouth - Royal Marine Barracks : Map credit National Library of Scotland Plymouth - Royal Marine Barracks : Image credit Stephen Luscombe The fourth annual Western Counties bicycle meet was held on Whit Monday 1881 at the Parade Ground of the Royal Marine Barracks and was organised by Plymouth Bicycle Club. The clubs massed at Plymouth Hoe and about 100 bicycles and five tricycles, including a Salvo Sociable, rode in procession to the Barracks. The races were a one mile ‘without handles', one mile open scratch, a slow race, one mile club handicap for Plymouth BC riders, one mile tricycle race and the blue ribbon Challenge Cup race over five miles. After an exciting race, Norton of Chard BC won the Challenge cup from Smith of Bristol BC, Norton also won the one mile open scratch race.

The ninth annual race meeting was held at the Royal Marines ground on 14th June 1886 as the Raglan Barracks was not available. The prize money for the meeting totalled £130. The races were one and three miles open handicaps, one mile club handicap, one mile roadster race, half mile scratch, tricycle handicap and the Grand Challenge Cup race over five miles. In the Cup race, Mayes took the lead from from the start and maintained it to the finish, winning by over a hundred yards.

The Royal Marines held their own annual sports meetings at the barracks and on 25th September 1890. There was a three miles bicycle handicap race amongst the twenty events, which were restricted to Navy personnel.

The Plymouth Facile and Safety Bicycle Club held there sports at the Barracks on 17th August 1892 and Arthur Du Cros** won the five miles open scratch race. This was the last bicycle racing to be held at the barracks.

Stonehouse Barracks is now the home of the UK Commando Force of the Royal Marines.

** Arthur Du Cros (1871-1955) was born in Dublin and the son of Harvey Du Cros, who set up the Dunlop tyre company. Arthur was joint managing director of Dunlop for twenty years. Arthur and his brothers were very good racing cyclist and won many important races.


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Photos : Stephen Luscombe
Maps    : National Library of Scotland