Working at AMC - Where There's a Road

"Where There's a Road"

The history behind the publicity graphic.

As a result of a chance sighting, by our ace Netherlands researcher Jos Vanderwoude, of a Facebook posting, correspondance was started with its author, Phil Walkley.

Phil explained to us that his grandfather, Arthur Walkley, was a part of Walkley-Hodgson Ltd (later known as Commercial Publicity Ltd).
Founded in 1936, the firm continued in business until 1960 and was the sole advertising agency for AMC of AJS and Matchless motorcycles

From information handed down from his dad, John, it is understood that Phil's grandparents had been good friends of the Heather family, of which Donald Heather was the managing director of AMC at the time.

Subsequently, John Walkley and Donald Heather's son, Alan, also became good friends and, in the summer of 1951, a motorcycle trip to France was organised by them, during which the photo was taken that was to later be used as the basis of the graphic advertisement shown above.

Along with this original photograph, Phil has kindly sent to us copies of the full set that were taken on the French trip, complete with informative captions, which we are pleased to display below:

Original photo of Alan Heather with map pic — The original photo of John Walkley with map

Start of holiday onboard the SS Dinard pic — Start of holiday onboard the SS Dinard

Alan Heather at the docks pic — Alan Heather at the dockside

Two bikes being hoisted aboard at Dover pic — Two bikes being hoisted aboard at Dover

John Walkley and Alan Heather at Perros Guedec pic — John Walkley and Alan Heather relaxing at Perros Guedec

Alan Heather picnicing at thr Mont St. Michel pic — Alan Heather picnicing at thr Mont St. Michel

John Walkley re-fuelling pic — John Walkley re-fuelling

Ice cream stall on sands at Deauville pic — Ice cream stall on sands at Deauville

Alan Heather buying ice cream pic — Alan Heather buying ice cream

John Walkley racing on the sands pic — John Walkley racing on the sands

John Walkley at level crossing pic — John Walkley waiting patiently for train at level crossing

John Walkley at Wimereux pic — John Walkley at Wimereux (in sight of Blighty)

Arthur Walkley, Donald and Alan Heather on gate pic — Arthur Walkley (left), Donald Heather? (centre) and unknown (right)

Note: All the above photographs are copyrighted by Phil Walkley