Harold Bowden

Sir Harold Bowden, 2nd Baronet, GBE (9 July 1880 – 24 August 1960), was the chairman and chief executive of the Raleigh Bicycle Company and Sturmey-Archer Ltd from his father's death in 1921 until his own retirement in 1938. He also served as President of the British Cycle and Motor-Cycle Manufacturers and Trader Union, President of the Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund, and Chairman of the British Olympic Association for the 1932 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

His achievements were celebrated in 1938 when Cycling Weekly awarded him his own page in the Golden Book of Cycling, which is now held in 'The Pedal Club' archive.

Sir Harold was the son of international business tycoon Sir Frank Bowden, 1st Baronet and Amelia Frances Houston, daughter of Colonel Alexander Houston of California. Born in San Francisco USA, the fifth of six children, he had four older sisters and a younger brother. He was educated at Clifton College, Bristol, and at Clare College, Cambridge University. Harold variously lived at 'Beeston Fields' manor house, Beeston, 'Ruddington Grange' and 'South Manor House' at Ruddington.

Harold was a keen cyclist and oarsman, and a member of the Pickwick Bicycle Club, founded in 1870. It is now self-proclaimed as the 'oldest surviving bicycle club in the world' although now predominantly a luncheon club.

On 11 May 1916 he purchased a new Brough motorcycle, registration AL 4659. It was a 500cc model 'H', which he sold on 22/2/1919.

Harold Bowden married four times. He married Vera Whitaker, daughter of Joseph Whitaker of Mansfield, on 7 July 1908, and they had two children, Frank Houston Bowden and Ruth Bowden before they divorced in 1919. He was married to his second wife Muriel Smythe Ker-Douglas, daughter of William Ker-Douglas, from 18 January 1920 until her death in 1952. He married thirdly, June Bowden MacKay, daughter of Thomas Henry MacKay, on 4 November 1952. He married his fourth wife, Valerie Raymont Came, daughter of Richard Raymont Came, on 11 February 1957.

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