Obituaries

Gordon O. Mclaughlan passes

It is with sadness that we announce that the former AJS factory trials rider, Gordon O. Mclaughlan has passed away.

From Thornaby on Tees, North Yorkshire, Mclaughlan was one of the ‘Three Gordons’ AJS factory team comprising of Gordon Mclaughlan, Gordon Blakeway and Gordon Jackson. he was a motor dealer and owned Gordon Mclaughlan Motors, BMC and British Leyland agents.

AJS teamster Gordon McLaughlan seen here on his factory AJS 164BLL at the Colonial Trial in 1963 – Photo: Charlie Watson, Hull

Gordon was a member of the Middlesbrough & District Motor Club, a keen Scottish Six Days and Scott Trial competitor in the 1950s and 60s.

His last motorcycling event was the Scott Trial Reunion dinner, hosted by Sid Lampkin at the Kings Head Hotel on November 9th 2024, where he sat at the top table and conversed most of the evening with his friend, Arthur Lampkin.

A Brian Holder photo of Gordon Mclaughlan in the 1960 SSDT on Devil’s Staircase. Watched closely by SACU official Jim Birrell ( standing with camera) and Ralph Venables (seated, top left) – Photo couresy of Ian Harland

Gordon Mclaughlan’s funeral will be held on Friday, 20th December 2024 at 11:00 in St. Bedes Chapel, Acklam Crematorium, Middlesbrough, TS5 7HD and at Middlesbrough Motor Club thereafter.