David Page (Yamaha) taking part in the 1992 World Trials Championship UK round at Glen Nevis, Fort William – Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
DAVID PAGE – Eldest son of Ernie & Elizabeth Page; Ernie being a former Scottish Scrambles Champion and motorcycle dealer from Edinburgh, Scotland. David started out competitively on a Montesa Cota 49 with a Yamaha TY80 motor installed.
David Page with his Monyam which was built by his father, Ernie Page – Photo: Page Family Archive
He was quite small for his age as a child, but soon mastered the art of trials at an early age. He became unbeatable in Scottish Youth events. David progressed to an experimental 80cc Fantic provided by Roy Carey Of South Essex Leisure, the Fantic importers.
David Page on the pre-production Fantic 80 which he developed with his father Ernie – Photo: Page Family Archive
This machine went into production using much of David and Ernie’s feedback to the Fantic factory. David then started to ride in adult trials on the Yamaha TY250R on which he made a name for himself, winning the 1992 Scottish Trials Championship.
The Cleveland Trial in 1992 David on the TY250R Yamaha – Photo: Page Family Archive
He was without doubt in the league of Jarvis and Colley and was a young man to watch as he was a natural rider.
David Page on the Hamilton Yamaha TYZ in the British Championships in 1993 – Photo: Page Family Archive
Sadly, when on a trip to an Italian world round with his father, David started to feel ill and was rushed home to Edinburgh to be diagnosed with the adult form of Leukemia to which he succumbed in late 1993.
The trials world and his family were cruelly robbed of a highly talented competitor and an exceptionally polite young man who is missed by those who knew him, to this day. His funeral and subsequent burial at Hillend Cemetery, Dalgety Bay was attended by a veritable ‘who’s who’ of the trials world.
A cortege of trials riders and their bikes, escorted the funeral procession all the way from Bathgate, West Lothian to Dalgety Bay in Fife.
April 1992, David Page with World Trials Champion, Jordi Tarres – Photo: Page Family Archive
To read more about David Page and his father, Ernie, this has been achieved in the book, ‘Motorcycle Competition: Scotland 1975-2005’ by John Moffat
My name is Severine NEYRAUD. My grand-father and father organise the 4 days trial in sardent of France since 35 years. I will want have a news Paige family. Elizabeth send me letters and cards because I was friendster with David . It’s possible you give me my address for I can write Elizabeth and Serbie pléiade. A long date I wanted found them. Sorti for my english. My address : mme NEYRAUD Severine 46 rue du 8 MAI 23000 GUERET FRANCE Thank you
Yes this is possible. I am in regular contact with Ernie and Elizabeth Page. Please send a message by the Trials Guru ‘Contact’ page – Regards, Trials Guru
I was at Bilstein in Belgium for I believe Davids and Graham Jarvis first ever World round, they were about 17 years of age, they both finished almost on same score around 20th position
Myself and whole family slept in standard old transit van and parked next to David and Ernie.
David showed my lads James, Sam and Tim how too perform some new tricks riding
his own monty bike and Ernie carried out repair to Sams Monty Davids early departure from Life and Trials was a huge loss to British and World Trials and to family and friends
What a hugely moving story which so took me back. I was hugely privileged to have known David from an early age and indeed when he came with his Dad and I to the SSDT in the early 80s, I loved those days.
One day, Ernie and I were packing up after a day at a Ben Nevis double section and I was – as usual – blethering away when Ernie was gesturing me to “shush” and be quiet. David was warming up his wee Fantic 80 and lining it up at the bottom after everyone had gone and after walking it on and off for most of the day.
Off he went and literally bounded up the rocks and stones like a wee Gazelle and finished for a totally immaculate “clean!” He stopped at the top and looked down the hill at us without saying anything but was clearly fair please with his wee self. There were world and regional champions that day who didn’t clean it!
I have loads more tales like that but will keep them for another day if anyone’s interested.
Great days and the wee guy is very sadly missed on my part.
TRIALS GURU 
My name is Severine NEYRAUD. My grand-father and father organise the 4 days trial in sardent of France since 35 years. I will want have a news Paige family. Elizabeth send me letters and cards because I was friendster with David . It’s possible you give me my address for I can write Elizabeth and Serbie pléiade. A long date I wanted found them. Sorti for my english. My address : mme NEYRAUD Severine 46 rue du 8 MAI 23000 GUERET FRANCE Thank you
Yes this is possible. I am in regular contact with Ernie and Elizabeth Page. Please send a message by the Trials Guru ‘Contact’ page – Regards, Trials Guru
I was at Bilstein in Belgium for I believe Davids and Graham Jarvis first ever World round, they were about 17 years of age, they both finished almost on same score around 20th position
Myself and whole family slept in standard old transit van and parked next to David and Ernie.
David showed my lads James, Sam and Tim how too perform some new tricks riding
his own monty bike and Ernie carried out repair to Sams Monty Davids early departure from Life and Trials was a huge loss to British and World Trials and to family and friends
What a hugely moving story which so took me back. I was hugely privileged to have known David from an early age and indeed when he came with his Dad and I to the SSDT in the early 80s, I loved those days.
One day, Ernie and I were packing up after a day at a Ben Nevis double section and I was – as usual – blethering away when Ernie was gesturing me to “shush” and be quiet. David was warming up his wee Fantic 80 and lining it up at the bottom after everyone had gone and after walking it on and off for most of the day.
Off he went and literally bounded up the rocks and stones like a wee Gazelle and finished for a totally immaculate “clean!” He stopped at the top and looked down the hill at us without saying anything but was clearly fair please with his wee self. There were world and regional champions that day who didn’t clean it!
I have loads more tales like that but will keep them for another day if anyone’s interested.
Great days and the wee guy is very sadly missed on my part.
Best wishes,
Mike.