In 1936, many of the old Cricklewood Bentleys (built between 1921 and 1931) were still being raced with great enthusiasm and verve at Brooklands. One of the enthusiasts was Keston Pelmore, who owned a 4½ litre. He realised that so many others shared his love of WO’s old cars that he ought to do something about it. So, he attached cards to all the Vintage Bentleys that he could find in the paddock and car parks, suggesting the formation of a ‘Bentley Drivers Club’ (BDC).

Needless to say, the response was excellent. Founded by Keston Pelmore, the BDC has gone from strength to strength, welcoming all Bentley motor cars from 1921 to date. By 1939, he was living in the United States, where he learned to fly. When war came he returned to the United Kingdom and joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. On 27 December 1941, the Wellington bomber that he was piloting during a raid on Dusseldorf was shot down. There were no survivors. It was his 18th operation.

Now in 2014, the BDC has some 3,700 members (3,800 in 2016) worldwide. The Club is divided into geographical regions, of which there are nine in the United Kingdom and some 30 in other parts of the world.