In September 1902, WG Grace the famous cricketer takes his first ride in a motor car courtesy of Harry Preston.
Sat in the bar of the Bournemouth Grand Hotel the night before, Harry tells WG he’ll be ‘motoring’ over to Brighton the next day, leaving at noon.
“Oh yes, didn’t I tell you? I have a four-cylinder De Dion-Bouton in which I travel between here and Brighton. It’s a wonderful thing.”
WG had never travelled in a motor car before and asked Harry for a lift. He was playing the next day but promised he’d be ready in time.
“You have my word, Harry, that I will be seated in your Gideon Mutton or whatever it’s called ready to depart for Brighton no later than noon tomorrow.”
True to his word, shortly after he stepped in to bat, WG was uncharacteristically bowled out early, and was seated next to Harry in time for the 4 hour, 100-mile drive to Brighton.
*Quotes taken from Gilbert: The Last Years of WG Grace
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