The Debenham sisters on their 2,000 mile tour in 1929
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 BSAworks team.[1]
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]
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.
^"Wheels of Glory". Western Daily Press. 26 February 1994. p. 37. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
^"The Standard Union 02 Dec 1923, page 34". The Brooklyn Standard Union. 2 December 1923. p. 34. Retrieved 12 July 2023. Schoolchildren are always on the lookout for Miss Nancy Debenham, who gives the youngsters of her district a treat by carrying a whole load of them to school in the morning.
