Walter Charles Key known as Nobby Key (1906–1941) was an international speedway rider from England.

Speedway career

Key earned the nickname 'Nobby' and came to prominence in 1929 when signing for the

Wembley Lions The Wembley Lions were an English ice hockey team. History The team were founded in 1934 but showed a continuity with the London Lions team which had played at various venues since 1924. The Wembley team were based at the newly built Empire ...

. During the 1931 season, when riding for

Nottingham (speedway) The Nottingham speedway team competed in the 1930s, with a home track on Trent Lane, Nottingham.Bamford, Robert & Jarvis, John (2001) ''Homes of British Speedway'', Tempus, , p. 193-4Dalling, Philip (2007) ''Nottingham and Long Eaton Speedway'', ...

he was seeking a transfer following continued machinery problems and as one of their star riders was also one of the highest wage earners, something the club were addressing. He did leave and joined the

Crystal Palace Glaziers Crystal Palace Glaziers were a British speedway team that existed from 1928 to 1939. History They first competed in the Southern League in 1929 and were based at Crystal Palace Exhibition Grounds, Sydenham, South London. The continued to comp ...

where he became their club captain and earned several England caps. When the Crystal Palace operation moved in 1934 he was attached to the New Cross Lambs.

War and death

He joined the Merchant navy at the outbreak of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. However, he is listed as being killed as a civilian casualty on 20 April 1941 at Sheringham Avenue (presumably in a bombing) based on the fact that he is listed as a civilian casualty and that it is known that Sheringham Avenue was subject to German bombs in late April 1941.

Players cigarette cards

Key is listed as number 22 of 50 in the 1930s Player's

cigarette card Cigarette cards are trading cards issued by tobacco industry, tobacco manufacturers to stiffen cigarette packaging and nicotine marketing, advertise cigarette brands. Between 1875 and the 1940s, cigarette companies often included collectible ca ...

collection.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Key, Nobby 1906 births 1941 deaths British speedway riders Wembley Lions riders New Cross Rangers riders Wimbledon Dons riders British Merchant Navy personnel of World War II British civilians killed in World War II Deaths by airstrike during World War II