Pictures of the "42-45" WLC Harley-Davidson below article
(This article was scanned from the Toronto Star)
A neighbour, now pasted away, was a dispatch rider in World War II. He told me stories of being shot at, as well as avoiding stumps, logs, or anything else that could throw a rider, thrown on the road by the enemy, or the most dangerous, piano wire strung across the road. He said the night riding was the most dangerous, because of the blackout light (notice the cover over the headlight of the bike in the picture on the right).
He said that if they were carrying important messages or orders, they would ride in twos, they both carried the same, so if one didn't make it the other one still had a chance.
One night when he and his buddy were riding through a particular hot spot, his friend riding in front, was decapitated. Hearing the crash, he immediately clutched, slammed on the brakes, turned the bike on it side, and skidded down the road to a stop. He saw his buddy headless in the middle on the road, quickly finding where the wire was, knowing that the enemy was close at hand and if he stuck around he would be shot. Restarting his motorcycle and rushed on.
He said he had nightmares of that night time and time again.
Now that he is gone, may he rest in peace.