[Books] Grit: an Epic Journey Across the World - Francis Edwin Birtles

[275 GTB-4]

On 26 July 1928, Francis Edwin Birtles completed the first successful journey from London to Melbourne in a motor car.

The epic journey in a 16hp Bean took more than nine months to complete.

According to motoring writer Peter Wherrett, Frank, Birtles has not received the same amount of recognition that Bert Hinkler, and other contemporaries received when they made and broke flying records.

Wherrett, in his book Grit, chronicles Birtles many adventures both in Australia and overseas. Birtles was the first person to ride a bicycle from Perth to Sydney in 1906, first person to travel by motor car (a Model T Ford) from Sydney to Cape York and back and many more . All his adventures were self-funded.

Birtles was married twice: the first was annulled within twelve months and the second to Neo Long, which lasted until Birtles death in 1947.

It was an interview with Mrs Long in 1981 that set Wherrett on a 25 year journey of discovery of the man, who he said was arguably ‘the greatest adventurer by motor car Australia has ever known. "

Birtles suffered unimaginable deprivation during the London to Melbourne journey, including being attacked by starving wolves, stalked by bears, food shortages, lack of money, having to physically build parts of the road to travel through Burma (now Myanmar) and nearly losing the Bean while crossing the Ganges River.

But Birtles said he suffered most at the hands of Australian Customs when on arrival in Darwin, they refused to release the Bean. "It makes me ashamed to be an Australian’ he is reported to have said in the Northern Territory Times.

He arrived in Darwin with no travel papers for the Bean and when he explained that they had rotted away in the monsoon in India, Customs were less than sympathetic.

It took a telegram from the then Australian Prime Minister, Stanley Melville Bruce, ordering the car's release that Birtles was able to continue his epic journey to Melbourne.

Birtles donated the Bean nicknamed Sundowner to the people of Australia and it now on display at the National Museum of Australia, Canberra.

Wherrett with the publication of Grit has gone someway to give Birtles the just recognition he so richly deserves.

Grit an epic journey across the world (Ibis $29.95)

Graham Gittins

Pictured is Peter Wherret beside the Bean in the National Museum of Australia - Canberra

[John Turner]

Wonderful story; thanks 275 GTB-4. Is this better here, or in Armchair Enthusiast?

[275 GTB-4]

Don't know...but, inspirational stuff like this certainly gets my wheels turning...exploits is too soft a word to describe the feats of the man!!

Trouble is, now I have to justify yet another book purchase

[johnny yuma]

Check also the exploits of Charles "Wizard"Smith,who in the same era did "record" runs Sydney to Melbourne etc over unsealed roads of the time until police were asked to step in and stop the nonsense.He also had a 4 minute role in the production of a woolen suit in 1931 when a disgruntled customer was told his suit would take 2 months. He had shearers shear sheep,the clip was carded and teased,the weft dyed,the other was warped beamed and twisted and the length woven.Wizard Smith drove the bolt from Mascot to Sydney in 4 minutes where an olympic sprinter Chrissie Dahn ran to the tailors rooms and all up from sheep,s back to man's back was 1 hour 52mins 18.5 seconds. however it was a very expensive suit....

[John Turner]

O.K, this a great subject, but these exploits and reference to the book describing Mr Birtles efforts, definitely make this a candidate for the Armchair Enthusiast forum which I'm now moving it to.

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by John Turner

O.K, this a great subject, but these exploits and reference to the book describing Mr Birtles efforts, definitely make this a candidate for the Armchair Enthusiast forum which I'm now moving it to.

Thanks John....life is so complicated these days..decisions, decisions, decisions

[John Turner]

No probs; as you can see, I've left a redirect in the Historics in order to keep that audience as well!

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by johnny yuma

Check also the exploits of Charles "Wizard"Smith,who in the same era did "record" runs Sydney to Melbourne etc over unsealed roads of the time until police were asked to step in and stop the nonsense.He also had a 4 minute role in the production of a woolen suit in 1931 when a disgruntled customer was told his suit would take 2 months. He had shearers shear sheep,the clip was carded and teased,the weft dyed,the other was warped beamed and twisted and the length woven.Wizard Smith drove the bolt from Mascot to Sydney in 4 minutes where an olympic sprinter Chrissie Dahn ran to the tailors rooms and all up from sheep,s back to man's back was 1 hour 52mins 18.5 seconds. however it was a very expensive suit....

A little dis-jointed but I get the picture....yeah....that sort of spirit just don't seem to exist these days....and the obstacles they would have faced we just can't ever imagine...

Where ya from Johnny...Folsom CA?

[johnny yuma]

yeah I'm doin' time for thread hijack !!!

[275 GTB-4]

Obviously still fighting mad....this rebel lad

Does anyone know if the Bean club are aware that a new book discussing their marque is now available ??