Ray Green wrote:- I have been doing some ferreting about Allins of Croydon and have caused much hilarity by repeating the assertion from the CR site that Ching Allin was Chinese. I am assured that in the 1940s there was only one Chinese living south of the Thames and he ran a laundry. I have been told Ching was given that nickname because he rode cycle speedway which doesn't make any sense either:-
Maybe the following explanation will put the record straight as to why the "Ching" got attached to his surname of Allin!
Keith Butler son on Stan Butler (of Allin Cycles) gave the following explanation to how Mr Allin got the name of Ching. It was in answer to questions made by members of the V-CC in their magazine News & Veiws in October 2000. The name of Ching given was a nickname given to him whilst serving in the army when his full name Charles William Allin-- Charlie Willie Allin then changed to "Ching a lin" and finally to Ching. Among the facts Keith quoted was the date his father bought the firm in 1946 along with Ching Allin, neither of them were recognised frame builders this was done by Peter Cobb an ex Claud Butler employee . Stan Butler sold the business in 1980 although he did carry on work part time when required.
My wife's family born and bred in Croydon always rode Allin lightweight cycles whilst her brother worked in the shop up until he moved to Hastings in 1983. I am the only one left in family now left who still own and ride the The Allin marque , sadly because of the passing years and age the others have all gone long ago.
Doug Smith
North Dorset
UK