Charlie Appleby

Who was Charlie Appleby?

Robert Charles Appleby is a former speedway rider.

Appleby was a member of the Hackney Wick Wolves team that won the National League Division II Championship in 1938.

After the end of World War II Appleby returned to the UK and was signed by the Birmingham Brummies in 1946. He was enjoying a steady season but on 7 October he was involved in a crash at Newcastle.

A rider had fallen in front of him and in an effort to avoid him, Appleby swerved and hit the machine instead. He was thrown high into the air from his bike and crashed heavily, landing on his head and he suffered a fractured skull. Doctors tried to save him at the hospital but Appleby died in the early hours of 8 October.