25 replies to this topic

[richie]

Anyone know if there's a biog or other reference books on Duncan Hamilton, died 1994?

[Ian McKean]

He wrote a very amusing biography called "Touch Wood"

[frogeye59]

Originally posted by richie
Anyone know if there's a biog or other reference books on Duncan Hamilton, died 1994?

richie, you have to get his biography "Touch Wood" its the only one of my racing books my wife has also read, she laughed her way through it as I did.

Well worth a look, I also believe there is a new version out updated by TNF's own Doug Nye.

Regards

David

[bradbury west]

Anything not covered in Touch Wood, or anything else you need to know, could always be checked etc by contacting his son Adrian via the adverts for his father's eponymous specialist car sales/brokerage which Adrian runs. He advertsies in most of the specialist car mags. He is just up the road from you and is justifiably proud of his father, and is always ready to clarify points to keep history correct and to protect his father's name I believe, quite rightly.

Roger Lund.

[richie]

Thanks all

I can see a Christmas present coming my way!

[frogeye59]

Originally posted by richie

Thanks all

I can see a Christmas present coming my way!

I'm just finishing the "Great Escape" following which I can feel a re-read of "Touch Wood" coming on before launching into "Rob Walker" & "Andretti"

David

[D-Type]

What nationality was Duncan Hamilton? He is always described as British or English, having been educated at an English public school and served in the Fleet Air Arm.

But, according to Touch Wood he was born in Ireland and moved to England when he was six. In the book he refers to his father having "represented Ireland at both golf and tennis" suggesting he was Irish. However, he also mentions sleeping on mattresses under the windows to avoid snipers' bullets suggesting that the family were British.

Hence the question.

[Bjorn Kjer]

"Touch Wood" has been reprinted and is available from Duncan Hamilton.

[Doug Nye]

Originally posted by D-Type
What nationality was Duncan Hamilton? He is always described as British or English, having been educated at an English public school and served in the Fleet Air Arm. But, according to Touch Wood he was born in Ireland.

Hence the question.

Remember that what is now the republic of Eire was at the time of Duncan's birth part of the United Kingdom.

DCN

[Danny Skehan]

Interesting link

http://www.oldbright...hamilton_01.htm


born in Co Cork, and as Doug pointed out Ireland was part of the UK until 1922

[D-Type]

I suppose you got to choose:
for example Joe Kelly chose to be Irish while Duncan Hamilton chose to be British

[David McKinney]

Joe Kelly continued to reside in Ireland, Duncan Hamilton didn't

[Bjorn Kjer]

I am looking for the colour of Hamiltons Jaguar D type at Le Mans 1957 , please. Any ideas ? I knew it was green but what green ? Close to what F1 colour ?

[richie]

Originally posted by Bjørn Kjer
I am looking for the colour of Hamiltons Jaguar D type at Le Mans 1957 , please. Any ideas ? I knew it was green but what green ? Close to what F1 colour ?

I've discovered my mother is living above Angela Hamilton, Duncan's widow.

I'll be seeing my mum soon so if anyone has any questions, I'll see what I can find out.

[Doug Nye]

Richie - 'Hammy' aka Adrian Hamilton, Duncan's son, is exceptionally proud of the Old Man and he is very happy to respond to questions about him. Why not drop him a line or give him a call? PM me and I'll give you his e-mail.

DCN

[simon drabble]

I would endorse what Doug has said - Hammy is a good mate and the most approachable of men - he will of course try and sell you a car and get you to sponsor his son Archie in FF at the same time!!

[Kvadrat]

I have just completed reading Touch Wood! book. It's excellent but the only thing I can't understand what does its title"Touch Wood!" stand for. Please explain me.

Edited by Kvadrat, 24 April 2013 - 07:35.

[Doug Nye]

I have just completed reading Touch Wood! book. It's excellent but the only thing I can't understand what its title"Touch Wood!" stands for. Please explain me.

Superstition - if a Brit or English-speaker who knows the phrase says "touch wood" it is usually followed by literally that action, wishing good luck will accompany one. Big Duncan used up a great deal of it during his colourful and active life, so it is very apt. I worked with him and son Adrian on the current edition of the book, and got it designed and printed for them. It was fun, though one had to swallow an awful lot of tall stories along the way.

Now the expression 'tall stories' means, ummm, a good tale which is not necessarily true or an accurate reflection of historical fact.


DCN

[Kvadrat]

Doug, thank you!

[Supersox]

Doug-somewhat surprising-understates the origins.
This is an ancient British expression -at least-relating to early Christianity and parts of the 'True Cross' which existed as relics 1000 plus years ago.Hence when one was looking for heavenly favour in any enterprise one touched-physically or metaphorically -the Wooden Cross, or ''Touched Wood''.

[hipperson]

Adrian ( centre) me and JW last summer looking around the ROFGO collection on a charity event
A nicer man than Adrian you could not wish to meet

[Doug Nye]

Doug-somewhat surprising-understates the origins.
This is an ancient British expression -at least-relating to early Christianity and parts of the 'True Cross' which existed as relics 1000 plus years ago.Hence when one was looking for heavenly favour in any enterprise one touched-physically or metaphorically -the Wooden Cross, or ''Touched Wood''.

Quite right - I was obviously in theological disconnect earlier this morning.

DCN

[scags]

I have just completed reading Touch Wood! book. It's excellent but the only thing I can't understand what does its title"Touch Wood!" stand for. Please explain me.

I've always understood it was pre christian, referring to pagan wood spirits.

[D-Type]

I've always understood it was pre christian, referring to pagan wood spirits.

Wasn't it the woodman having to touch the tree to communicate with its spirit and apologise for cutting him down.

Anyway, I have a feeling that somewhere in a quiet corner Duncan Hamilton and Alfred Neubauer are having a beer and seeing who can tell the taller stories.

[Eric Dunsdon]

My pals and I had cycled up to Silverstone for the 1955 Commander York Trophy Meeting and had arrived around 6am. As we waited for the gates to open on that sunny, still morning we heard a very distinctive exhaust note rising and falling and obviously travelling quite fast as it approached us. At last we heard the car turning into what used to be the narrow lane to Dadford and to our delight it turned out to be Duncan in the D Type Jaguar that he was driving in that afternoons sports car race and he returned our cheers with a smile and a wave. Duncan was his usual spectacular self later that day, power sliding the D Type through the old Club Circuits Woodcote Corner as we sat on the pit counter swinging our aching legs yet ready to 'leg it' should anybody over do it!. The D Type blasted past us later as we made our weary way homewards. Duncan Hamilton provided many nice memories of those happier days.

[raceannouncer2003]

Here is a link to coverage of probably his greatest triumph, Le Mans, 1953, described by Nevil Lloyd. At about the twelve minute mark on the video, after the race is finished, Hamilton opens the champagne and squirts it ! Not much, but a couple of wee squirts. I always thought Gurney started that ! Posted by Holly Mitchell, related to driver Lawrence Mitchell?



Vince H.