Betty (30 November 1895 – ) and Nancy Warner Debenham (1897 – ) were English sisters, motorcyclists, and sports journalists. The sisters were heirs to the Debenhams department store fortune, and were both attached to the BSA works team. ^[1]

Motorcyclists

By 1923, the two were already well-known colourful figures, ^[2] sometimes working as stunt riders to promote motorcycle sales at events such as the Olympia Motor Show. ^[3] In 1924 Betty Debenham completed a 500 mile trial on a 1.25 horsepower motorcycle from London to York and back, and then to Brighton and back. ^[4]

By 1926, they had both become formidable racers, and were competing in events across the country. They competed in their first trials in February, winning gold (Betty) and silver (Nancy) cups. ^[5] Each earned a silver cup in August's London-to- Barnstaple trial, riding 2.25 horsepower BSA motorcycles. ^{[6] [7]} A few weeks later, Nancy Debenham came out on top in a 200 mile reliability trial organized by the London Motor Cycling Club involving about 40 riders, mostly men. ^[8]

In 1929, the pair made a wager with racing driver Kaye Don that they could complete a 2,000 mile tour without spending any of their own money. ^[9] They set off south from London in February, but were forced to turn back due to snow. ^[9] Having already completed 600 miles in wintery conditions, and earned a few shillings helping stranded motorists, they headed north and encountered better weather. ^[9] They made more money by posing for photographs and writing about their journey, and at one point delivered a tyre for a local garage in exchange for petrol and oil. ^{[9] [10]}

Writers

In 1928, the Debenhams published a book entitled Motor-Cycling for Women. Based on their extensive experience, the slim book is part travel guide, part manual, and part shopping guide. ^{[11] [12]}

Motor-cycling is an ideal hobby for the tired business girl. She can seek health and pleasure during her precious week-ends by exploring the countryside and the seaside. She can gather her violets and primroses from the woods instead of buying them in jaded twopenny bunches, and her whole week-end's holiday need only cost her the price of her return fare to Brighton.

Betty Debenham was press secretary for the London Ladies' Motor Club. ^[13]

Later life

Betty Debenham went on to become a golf writer for the Daily Sketch ^[14] and, in 1938, was a founding member of the Association of Golf Writers. ^[15]

References