Gnr Alan Harris jumps four 105mm Light Guns at
"The Flying Gunners"
This page is dedicated to the MCDT. Please send me your photos,
press cuttings etc, and they will be published here.
press cuttings etc, and they will be published here.
31st Training Regiment Display Team
The Royal Artillery Motor Cycle Display Team originated from the 31st Training Regiment
Royal Artillery Display Team which was formed at Kinmel Park Camp, Rhyl, in the summer of 1949
and gave their first performance at the St Asaph Tattoo in July 1949.
The team was the brainchild of Captain David Miles, and used the normal issue Army Motor Cycles
of that time which were Matchless G3L machines. They were an immediate success and during their
early days gave displays in North Wales and Central Wales and the neighbouring English counties.
From the very start the emphasis was on a slick, polished and professional presentation, with really
well practiced precision riding for the team manoeuvres and a non-stop series of tricks, with the
next machine always in the arena before the previous one had left.
You will see that this high standard of polish and professionalism has been maintained and
perfected by the team of today. Although the display is varied in content from year to year, some
of the trick riding acts, and the clown act, have remained as they were originally conceived
in the team of 1949.
The team remained in Rhyl until 1961, when 31st Training Regiment was disbanded, and by
this time they had built up a reputation throughout the United Kingdom for the excellence of their
displays. They had also changed their machines from the aging WD Matchless to BSA 500cc Gold
Stars. This was the direct result of members of the team riding the BSA motor cycles in the 1960
International Six Day Trials, and the link between BSA and the team was to remain until 1974
when for various reasons which had nothing to do with the quality of the BSA, it was decided
to change to the Greeves Griffon QUB.
The Team moved in 1961 from Rhyl to Woolwich, the home of the Royal Regiment of
Artillery and became part of the Royal Artillery Recruiting Troop, and later the
Royal Artillery Display Troop. The Team are now based at Larkhill, Wiltshire.
Nowdays, the team represents the cream of the Army's riding ability, and the soldiers are
selected to be in The Flying Gunners for their riding skill and for their courage. The selection
is grueling, but the reward of "making the team" makes the process worthwhile.
Once a rider makes the team, he is trained in numerous motorcycle skills, from precision
riding to motorcross jumping, and this has always raised considerable media interest.
The team is self sufficient and must fund its own activities, however the soldiers are all from
operational Regiments, many having served in numerous theatres of conflict, from the Gulf
to Kosovo. All of the riders are proud to be Gunners, but above all else,
they are proud to be "Flying Gunners".
Motorbikes were introduced into the Royal Artillery during the First World War. They
were used by Gunner Regiments to reconnoiter gun positions and courier missions.
Today, the Royal Artillery will still use motorbikes in some very important roles. Battery Guides use
them when leading the Guns onto the Gun Position and they are also used by Royal Artillery Special
Forces Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols to infiltrate deep behind enemy lines on target
acquisition and observation missions.
Royal Artillery Display Team which was formed at Kinmel Park Camp, Rhyl, in the summer of 1949
and gave their first performance at the St Asaph Tattoo in July 1949.
The team was the brainchild of Captain David Miles, and used the normal issue Army Motor Cycles
of that time which were Matchless G3L machines. They were an immediate success and during their
early days gave displays in North Wales and Central Wales and the neighbouring English counties.
From the very start the emphasis was on a slick, polished and professional presentation, with really
well practiced precision riding for the team manoeuvres and a non-
next machine always in the arena before the previous one had left.
You will see that this high standard of polish and professionalism has been maintained and
perfected by the team of today. Although the display is varied in content from year to year, some
of the trick riding acts, and the clown act, have remained as they were originally conceived
in the team of 1949.
The team remained in Rhyl until 1961, when 31st Training Regiment was disbanded, and by
this time they had built up a reputation throughout the United Kingdom for the excellence of their
displays. They had also changed their machines from the aging WD Matchless to BSA 500cc Gold
Stars. This was the direct result of members of the team riding the BSA motor cycles in the 1960
International Six Day Trials, and the link between BSA and the team was to remain until 1974
when for various reasons which had nothing to do with the quality of the BSA, it was decided
to change to the Greeves Griffon QUB.
The Team moved in 1961 from Rhyl to Woolwich, the home of the Royal Regiment of
Artillery and became part of the Royal Artillery Recruiting Troop, and later the
Royal Artillery Display Troop. The Team are now based at Larkhill, Wiltshire.
Nowdays, the team represents the cream of the Army's riding ability, and the soldiers are
selected to be in The Flying Gunners for their riding skill and for their courage. The selection
is grueling, but the reward of "making the team" makes the process worthwhile.
Once a rider makes the team, he is trained in numerous motorcycle skills, from precision
riding to motorcross jumping, and this has always raised considerable media interest.
The team is self sufficient and must fund its own activities, however the soldiers are all from
operational Regiments, many having served in numerous theatres of conflict, from the Gulf
to Kosovo. All of the riders are proud to be Gunners, but above all else,
they are proud to be "Flying Gunners".
Motorbikes were introduced into the Royal Artillery during the First World War. They
were used by Gunner Regiments to reconnoiter gun positions and courier missions.
Today, the Royal Artillery will still use motorbikes in some very important roles. Battery Guides use
them when leading the Guns onto the Gun Position and they are also used by Royal Artillery Special
Forces Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols to infiltrate deep behind enemy lines on target
acquisition and observation missions.
From Left to Right:
Brian Hailes, Dave Gatehouse, Chris Moles, Barry Sanderson, Harry Longstaff,
Johnny Hands, Mick Wilson, Dave Williams, Paul Hylands,
Scouse Lee, Tom Gleadhill, Ted Stringer,
Les Newnes, Not Known.
Some Memories from the MCDT in the 1960’s
Many of the following photos have been donated
by Past Members and the RA Display Troop.
by Past Members and the RA Display Troop.
The MCDT of the 1970’s
In Memory of Ivor Mason and Geordie Dowd
Ivor and the Team with the late Barry Sheene
Kindly sent in by Pauline Mason
Ivor and the Team with the late Barry Sheene
Kindly sent in by Pauline Mason
Ivor and the Lads with Benny Hill and his Girls
Ivor Mason
To find out more, Please visit The Flying Gunners Website
I would like to Thank all who have donated Photo’s for this page.
Pathe Shots from Woolwich, 31st March 1966
