Michael Lockyer
Born in 1926 in London, served in WW2 in the British army stationed in India. After demobilization, he took up an offer from the Australian Government for free passage for skilled ex-serviceman and arrived in Melbourne in 1950.
Working in the Government Aircraft Factories at Fishermans Bend, he saved enough to buy a motorcycle and began touring through Victoria, NSW and Queensland. When chain manufacturer Reynolds wanted to promote their wares through a round-Australia endurance test (called Operation Transmatilda) in 1953, Michael stepped up and completed the 17,000km journey with Reynolds employee Vern Train on a BSA and Triumph. Michael later married Vern’s sister Kathleen and they settled in Tasmania and later moved to Adelaide. Always a keen motorcyclist, Michael continued riding until he was 91. He passed away in Adelaide on June 13, 2020, aged 94. In 2013, Vern’s cousin Danny Curran and his mate Craig Birni recreated the original journey on a 1953 BSA and Triumph. ■