Bill Bengry, 1920–1997
Businessman, Mayor, Racing Driver
Bill Bengry established himself as a successful business man in Leominster running garages and car dealerships. He was a Councillor and served as Mayor in 1971. For many his greatest achievements were in the field of motor sport, winning the British Rally Championship in 1960 and 1961, and going on to compete in international events and becoming the premier rally driver in the country.
The Bengry family moved to Wigmore in the early 20th Century. They purchased a steam traction engine, probably the first in Herefordshire, and started dealing in coal and haulage. It was here in they had a son, christened as Alfred but nicknamed “Bill” from his Grandfather. In the 1920s the family started the Primrose Motor Service and ran a local bus service. This continued in Leominster until it was taken over by the Lugg Valley Bus Company in 1998.
Bill and his brother Gilbert started their company Bengry Bros in 1940 hiring out themselves with tractors and agricultural machinery. They purchased the old Wesleyan chapel in Burgess Street and with the help of ex-prisoners of war converted it into a garage.
In 1948 Bill married Fanny Morgan who worked alongside him in the business and raised their three children. When Gilbert married and left Leominster Bill carried on the business alone, expanding to retail new and used cars from Bengry Motors in Edgar Street, Hereford.
In 1963 Bill bought a piece of land in Bargates and built a new garage. The garage is still there, now called Applegreen.
In the early 1970’s Bill started to develop Shirlheath, which was his family home, as Herefordshire’s first car auction. A few years later he added a furniture and general goods sale. Today over 200 vehicles a week go through the ring on a Thursday night and the Wednesday General sales are as popular as ever. In the late 80’s Bill purchased a piece of land at the western end of Southern Avenue Industrial Estate to further expand the business. This site would house a car dealership and offer specialised mechanical services.
Bill served as a Town Councillor, and became the 423rd Mayor of Leominster in 1971.
Alongside his business activities Bill became interested in motor sport in the early 1950’s. He was a founder member of Herefordshire Motor Club, rallying the cars he was selling at the time. He went on to achieve national success, winning the RAC rally championship in 1960 and 1961. He was awarded Herefordshire sportsman of the year that year, and at that time was the undisputed top British Rally Driver. Further success followed in many international rallies, including the East African Safari, the Monte Carlo, the London to Sydney Marathon and the London to Mexico World Cup Rally in 1970. His son, Theo, continued the family tradition and is also a rally driver.
Bill passed away in 1997.
