Split Waterman

{{Infobox Speedway rider

| image =

| name= Split Waterman

| nationality = British (English)

| birth_date = {{birth date|1923|7|27|df=y}}

| birth_place = New Malden, England

| death_date = {{death date and age|2019|10|8|1923|7|27|df=y}}

| death_place = Spain

| years1 = 1947–1949, 1956

| career1 = Wembley Lions

| years2 = 1950–1954

| career2 = Harringay Racers

| years3 = 1955

| career3 = West Ham Hammers

| years4 = 1957

| career4 = Wimbledon Dons

| years5 = 1958

| career5 = Southampton Saints

| years6 = 1960–1961

| career6 = New Cross Rangers

| years7 = 1962

| career7 = Ipswich Witches

| years8 = 1962

| career8 = Belle Vue Aces

| indivyear1 = 1948

| indivhonour1 = London Riders' Championship

| teamyear1 = 1947, 1949

| teamhonour1 = National League Champion

| teamyear2 = 1948, 1952

| teamhonour2 = National Trophy winner

| teamyear3 = 1947

| teamhonour3 = British Speedway Cup winner

| teamyear4 = 1948, 1949, 1952, 1953

| teamhonour4 = London Cup winner

| teamyear5 = 1953

| teamhonour5 = Coronation Cup winner

}}

Squire Francis Waterman (27 July 1923 – 8 October 2019),{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/|title=Obituaries |date=23 October 2019|work= The Daily Telegraph}} better known as Split Waterman, was an English speedway rider who twice finished second in the Speedway World Championship final.Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. {{ISBN|0-7524-2402-5}}{{cite web |url=https://britishspeedway.co.uk/docs/Ultimate_Index_1929-2022.pdf |title=ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 |website=British Speedway |access-date=4 June 2023}} Waterman took up speedway while serving in the British Army in Italy and went on to become one of the top riders of the post-war era. He made the headlines again in the late 1960s when he was convicted of gold smuggling and firearms offences.

Biography

Born in New Malden, Waterman worked as a toolmaker's apprentice after leaving school.Burford, Brian (2019) "Squire Francis 'Split' Waterman (1923–2019) Speedway Star, 19 October 2019, pp. 43–45

=Wartime service=

Waterman applied to join the Royal Air Force when the Second World War broke out but was unable to do so as his job as a toolmaker was classed as a reserved occupation.Davies, Trevor (2008) Warzone Speedway, Trevor Davies Publishing, {{ISBN|978-0-9558624-0-3}}, p. 143-150 He joined the Local Defence Volunteers (the Home Guard) in 1942, before joining the Royal Fusiliers, and was posted to North Africa before being involved in the Allied invasion of Italy. Shrapnel wounds that led to him being declared unfit for front line service saw him transferred to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and posted to a workshop in Pozzuoli, near Naples. Waterman acted as a despatch rider,{{cite news |title="Split" Waterman |work=Sports Argus |date=21 May 1949 |accessdate=19 October 2019 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000653/19490521/055/0003| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} and motorcycle racing events became a regular occurrence, and Waterman was involved in building a speedway track at Vomero Stadium.Morgan, Tom (1949) Who's Who in Speedway 1949, Sport-in-Print, p. 71-2 He became a proficient racer on his adapted BSA M20 bike and it was from speedway racing that Waterman gained his nickname. After falling in a race he split his racing leathers down the back, after which his colleagues referred to him as "split arse", which was later shortened to "split". After a tour of duty in Palestine, Waterman was posted to Germany where his commanding officer, a Major Fenwick, wrote to the Wembley Lions manager, Alec Jackson, with whom he had served earlier in the war, to recommend giving Waterman a trial.

=Speedway career=

Waterman began his career with the Wembley Lions in 1947, moving up from reserve to the main body of the team within two weeks,{{cite news |title=Success Story |work=The Daily Mirror |date=25 March 1949 |accessdate=19 October 2019 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19490325/098/0009| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} and winning the National League Championship.Jacobs, Norman (2001). Speedway in London. Stroud: Tempus Publishing {{ISBN|0-7524-2221-9}} In 1948 the Lions won the National Trophy and Waterman won the prestigious London Riders' Championship,{{cite news |title=Speedstar No. 2: Split Waterman |work=The Daily Mirror |date=26 January 1949 |accessdate=19 October 2019 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19490126/104/0008| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} as well as making his debut for England against Australia.Belton, Brian (2003). Hammerin' Round. Stroud: Tempus Publishing {{ISBN|0-7524-2438-6}} Waterman earned more than £3,000 in his second season as a speedway rider. The Lions won the League Championship again in 1949.

In February 1950, Waterman transferred to the Harringay Racers for a then world record transfer fee of £3,000 (£1,000 more than the previous highest fee, paid for Alec Statham),{{cite news |title=Parker Beaten at New Cross |work=Birmingham Daily Gazette |date=2 August 1951 |accessdate=16 October 2019 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000669/19510802/163/0006| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}
- {{cite news |title=Top Speed Fee |work=The Daily Mirror |date=14 February 1950 |accessdate=16 October 2019 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19500214/121/0010| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} and qualified for his first of five World finals, finishing seventh. In 1951, he qualified again and, after finishing level on points with Jack Young and Jack Biggs, the three had to race off against each other to decide the championship. Young headed home Waterman followed by Biggs. He won the Match Race Championship in August 1951, taking the title from Jack Parker.{{cite news |title=Parker Beaten at New Cross |work=Birmingham Daily Gazette |date=2 August 1951 |accessdate=19 October 2019 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000669/19510802/163/0006| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} He successfully defended the title twice (against Aub Lawson and Jack Young) before relinquishing it due to injury.

Waterman began the 1952 season by winning the W. J. Cearns Memorial Trophy at Wimbledon.{{cite news |title=Speedway Win for Waterman |work=The Daily Herald |date=8 April 1952 |accessdate=19 October 2019 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000681/19520408/107/0005| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} He qualified for the World Final again in 1952 but only managed twelfth but did win the National Trophy with Harringay. His career was almost ended in 1952 by a crash at Odsal Stadium in which he sustained two broken teeth and a badly broken kneecap. The first doctor he saw suggesting amputation of the leg. A second opinion disagreed, and he was able to ride a few days later with the leg heavily strapped. His kneecap was later replaced with an artificial one. In 1953, he again finished in second place in the World Final, with his last appearance in 1954, finishing fifth.{{cite news |title=Fred Williams Speedway's New Champion |work=The Daily Herald |date=18 September 1953 |accessdate=19 October 2019 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000681/19530918/179/0010| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} In early 1954, Waterman was elected as vice-chairman of the Speedway Riders Association, amid a dispute between second division riders and promoters over pay. A riders' strike was averted after Jack Parker resigned as chairman, with Waterman taking over that role in April.{{cite news |title=Speedway Strike Off: Waterman is New Chairman |work=The Daily Herald |date=6 April 1954 |accessdate=19 October 2019 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000681/19540406/102/0007| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} At the end of the season, Harringay closed and he transferred to the West Ham Hammers, but only stayed a season, returning to the Wembley Lions in 1956 after being allocated to the team by the Speedway Control Board.{{cite news |title=Jack Biggs Joins First Division Poole |work=The Daily Herald |date=28 March 1956 |accessdate=16 October 2019 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000681/19560328/197/0010| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}

In 1957, he was on the move again to the Wimbledon Dons. After six appearances for the Dons he was dropped from the team in July and as a result announced his retirement from speedway.{{cite news |title=Split Says 'I Quit' |work=The Daily Mirror |date=2 July 1957 |accessdate=16 October 2019 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19570702/110/0019| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} He returned, however, in 1958, riding in five meetings for the Southampton Saints.{{cite news |title=Split Waterman Welcomed Back |work=Norwood News |date=2 May 1958 |accessdate=16 October 2019 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002308/19580502/239/0014| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} Waterman did not ride at all in 1959 but made a surprising return in 1960 for the New Cross Rangers. In January 1961, he took out a writ alleging misrepresentation against Premier Promotions, who had billed the wrestler Bert "Split" Waterman as "Split Waterman, ex-speedway star" in an advertisement for one of their wrestling events, which reportedly attracted hundreds of New Cross speedway fans as a result.{{cite news |title=Speedway Split So Mad |work=The Daily Herald |date=24 January 1961 |accessdate=16 October 2019 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000681/19610124/188/0012| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} He rode for the Rangers again in 1961 before finally ending his career after a couple of short spells with the Ipswich Witches and the Belle Vue Aces in 1962.Pavey,A. (2004) Speedway in the North-West, Tempus Publishing Ltd. {{ISBN|0-7524-3192-7}}

Waterman rode in thirty Test matches for England and captained the team in the 1953 series against Australia.Rogers, Martin (1978) The Illustrated History of Speedway, Studio Publications, {{ISBN|0-904584-45-3}}, p. 77
- May, Cyril (1978) Ride It! The Complete Book of Speedway, Haynes, {{ISBN|0-85429-210-1}}, p. 64

=Later life=

After speedway, Waterman went into business in sheet metal working and plastic injection moulding, making plastic goods for companies such as Woolworth and Airfix.

In 1967, he was arrested at Newhaven while attempting to board a ferry to Dieppe, after gold with a value of £10,000 was found in the chassis of his fiancée Avril Priston's car. A subsequent raid at Priston's family home in Bedfordshire found illegal firearms.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=75llAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nIoNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3236,375121&dq=squire+francis+waterman&hl=en |title=Stolen Gold Arms Hong Kong Reds|work=The Sun|date=16 August 1967|pages=1, 2|accessdate=27 April 2012}} Waterman was convicted in March 1968 of attempting to smuggle gold out of Britain, as well as unlawful possession of firearms including two sub-machine guns, two rifles and three pistols, and possession of dies for forging coins. He was sentenced to four years in prison.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5WopAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EuUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4989,2808742&dq=speedway-star&hl=en|title=Speedway star on gold bar charges|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=16 August 1967|page=1|accessdate=27 November 2011}}
- {{cite news|url=http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/News/Co-found.htm|title=Co-founder of BoS dies|work=Bedfordshire on Sunday|date=14 June 2010|accessdate=27 November 2011}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19680320&id=uH5AAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uKMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1597,3449942|title="Split" Waterman Jailed for Four Years on Gold Charge|work=Glasgow Herald|date=20 March 1968|page=7|accessdate=27 April 2012}} The gold was thought to have come from a bullion van robbery in Clerkenwell. Priston was convicted of conspiracy to smuggle gold and possession of two pistols and a pen gun, and was sentenced to six months in prison. Also in 1968, Waterman was implicated in the case against the Kray twins and two other men, who were charged with conspiring to murder George Karuana. Eugene Elvey, a witness in the case, claimed that Waterman provided a "hypodermic briefcase" and poison as the means of committing the murder.{{cite news |title='Split' Waterman Showed How Case Worked: Allegation |work=The Belfast Telegraph |date=19 July 1958 |accessdate=16 October 2019 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002318/19680719/075/0004| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}

Waterman married Avril on 15 September 1970 at Caxton Hall in London,{{cite news |title=Speedway star 'Split' weds his sweetheart after twenty years |work=The Daily Mirror |date=16 September 1970 |accessdate=16 October 2019 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19700916/115/0017| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} and they later lived in Nerja on the Costa del Sol, Spain. In 1977, Waterman was imprisoned in Italy after being convicted of possession of forged Spanish pesetas with a value equivalent to £500,000, as part of a plot to bring down the government of Francisco Franco.{{cite news |title=Forgery plot 'to crush Franco' |work=The Newcastle Journal |date=28 January 1978 |accessdate=16 October 2019 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19780128/018/0002| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}

He died on 8 October 2019 at the age of 96.

World final appearances

1950 - {{flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - 7th - 8pts
1951 - {{flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - 2nd - 12pts + 2pts
1952 - {{flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - 12th - 6pts
1953 - {{flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - 2nd - 13pts
1954 - {{flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - 5th - 9pts