Elsie ‘Bill’ Wisdom
Story by Giles Chapman
When we received Giles Chapman’s latest book we thoroughly enjoyed the short bios and interesting stories that comprised “Three Million Miles in a Volvo and other Curious Car Stories.” These are just perfect for the VeloceToday format, and here is the sixth in a series of excerpts from the book.
Embroidery, of the written kind, is an essential skill for every good hack. But the story of how correspondent and racing driver Tommy Wisdom met his wife Elsie takes some beating. Tommy was sailing off the south coast one day with his brother and a friend when their dinghy overturned. The pal drowned but the brothers were rescued and taken ashore, and Tommy recovered on the nearest sofa that could be found. It was in the home of Elsie Swain and, as he dried out, love blossomed.