A WIRRAL man is writing a book on the life of a three-time World Champion motor scooter rider from the borough - but he needs your help.
Elizabeth Smolen came to England as a teenager from war-torn Poland in the early 1950s with her mother and settled in Birkenhead, before moving to Rock Ferry.
She opened a scooter shop in Bebington in 1964. It became very successful and she became the Vespa dealer for a wide area.
She began racing the scooters, including three wins in the Isle of Man, and went on to be the World Champion in her class. Her victories earned her the nickname 'Scooter Queen' in the Isle of Man.
Danny Doyle, former marketing manager for Birkenhead Market, got to know Elizabeth when he bought his first scooter from her.
But as time went by, they lost touch.
He is now planning to write a book on Elizabeth's life, which is where he needs Globe readers' help.
Danny, who lives in Parkgate, said: "There is nothing, anywhere, to commemorate and honour this amazing lady and her remarkable story.
"Elizabeth was Jewish and escaped Poland with her mother in the clothes she stood up in. She came to the UK and settled in Birkenhead.
"She opened a scooter shop in Bebington, of all places, and began racing them to aid promotion of the business.
"The shop became very successful and she became the Vespa dealer for a wide area.
"Her racing was also successful and she won her class in the Isle Of Man - the most difficult course in the world, for three years on the run.
"She went on to be the World Champion in her class."
Explaining how he came to know Elizabeth, Danny explained: "I bought my first scooter off her in 1965, at the age of 16, and another in '66.
"I got to know her well. English was her second language and she had a great sense of humour.
"She ran all kinds of fundraising for children back in war-torn Poland - because it was decimated by the Germans and then by the Russians - and raised many thousands of pounds.
"She would hire a van and drive to Poland with clothing, toys, food and anything she could collect, all this whilst running her successful business."
Danny has managed to find Elizabeth's original 1964 scooter and brought it back to Wirral.
He is also in negotiation with Wirral Transport Museum with the intention of displaying the scooter and a "multitude of memorabilia", including photographs, newspaper cuttings and other artefacts celebrating Elizabeth's life.
He said: "I would like Globe readers who may have known Elizabeth to contact me with any stories, information, etc, which may help 'fill in the blanks' of her later years to complete the story.
"What I want to know is what happened in the years from the shop's closure, where did she go? Did she go back to Poland?
"Does she have any relatives? If so, are there any details for me to investigate?
"This is a fascinating, unique story on so many levels. It covers women in sport - which is massive currently, with the Lionesses' footballing success - wartime tragedy and bravery and businesswomen.
"Above all, for me, it is actually a 'good news' story, much needed at the moment.
"If I don't write Elizabeth's story now, it will be lost forever."
If you can help Danny 'fill in the blanks' about Elizabeth Smolen, email daniel.doyle66@gmail.com
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