Robert Frank Currie (26 April 1918 in Woolwich, England – 25 July 1988 in Birmingham, England) was an English motorcycling writer and road tester, who later became a magazine editor and book author. Mainly known for his UK journalism work with Motor Cycle, a UK weekly motorcycle magazine-turned-newspaper, then from 1981 as Editor of a new monthly magazine The Classic Motor Cycle, he retired in early 1988 suffering from an ongoing illness, after a full-time writing career starting in 1955, and later died of heart failure. Currie was described in 1967 by his editor as "A prolific writer on all subjects". Writing in Currie's obituary, one former-collaborator remembered that many described him as "The Walking Encyclopaedia of Motor Cycling History", whilst his former understudy and editor-designate John Pearson described his death as "this country has lost its leading writer, historian and authority on veteran, vintage and classic British motorcycles". Early life With his younger brother, Ken, Currie spent his first few years with their father, an officer in the Royal Scots Greys, at various postings. Soon after leaving the army in 1924 and settling at Martley, Worcestershire, their sister Daphne was born and Captain Currie died. Life for his widow with three children was difficult, and young Bob was sent to live with an aunt in Dundee, later returning for his education at Worcester Royal Grammar School followed by work as a trainee engineer at Heenan & Froude in Worcester when he first started to ride motorcycles. He joined the Territorial Army, before conscription to the armed forces for the duration of World War II, in the RAOC (later known as REME) where he maintained and repaired tanks and acted as a despatch rider, progressing to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Post-war work and journalism After the end of hostilities, Currie returned to work for Heenan & Froude, also becoming involved with the AA magazine, an occasional, newsletter-type publication mailed to members of the UK subscription-based motoring breakdown organisation, and as a contributor to the TT Special, a seasonal newspaper published by former TT rider Geoff Davison in June for the Isle of Man TT races, with occasional associated books. As a motorcycle enthusiast and seasonal reporter he travelled to the Isle of Man. When staying in the same Sefton Hotel as the Motor Cycle staff he suggested a collaboration, to enable mutually-better reported coverage of the racing events. Currie