Baron Andre D'Erlanger

[ChrisWd]

Hi,

I'm trying to find out some information about the famous French racing driver of the 1920's, Baron Andre D'Erlanger.  I've found quite a lot about his racing achievements including his 3rd placing in the 1929 Le Mans driving bobtail Bentley with Dudley Benjafield, but haven't been able to find anything else such as his family background and BMD information.

He was one of the well-known 'Bentley Boys' although I've not been able to ascertain if he was based in London or France during his racing career.  There were some D'Erlangers living in London around this time but can't work out if he had a family connection with them.

Any information greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Chris

[GrahamSimons]

You might find these people helpful:

http://www.nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/Enquiries

[jorose]

Do you have any indication of when he was born?  From what I can find there is no reference to an "Andre" among the Baron D'Erlangers.  Perhaps it was a nickname?

See here:
http://www.pellew.com/Family%20Tree/images/d%27Erlanger%20011.gif

A couple of online references have the racing driver as "Gerard" but whether that is a mistake/conflation of Andre with Baron Gerard John Leo D'Erlanger (b. 1906) I can't say.  (Certainly Gerard was apparently something of a playboy/ladies man!)

Unfortunately a lot of the papers of the time, as far as I can see, simply call him "D'Erlanger" or "Baron D'Erlanger".  What is the original source for his name being "Andre"?  On Google Books there is a 1932 volume called "Full throttle" which mentions a Leo D'Erlanger (I can only see the snippet view, sadly), which is the closest I've been able to get to a record of the period which mentions a first name for him.

[ChrisWd]

Thanks for these replies.  Getting in touch with the National Motor Museum is on my 'to do' list.

In racing circles Baron D'Erlanger seems to be known as Andre but as you suggest this may have been a nickname or a shortened version of his name.  There are some photos of Andre D'Erlanger here: http://www.austinharris.co.uk/search/le%20mans%20hour%20race?f[0]=taxonomy_vocabulary_8%3A2962

I have just recently got my hands on a copy of "Full Throttle" which was written by Sir Henry Birkin, another one of the Bentley Boys.  I haven't had a chance to read it yet in detail but on initial glance I did also notice the reference to the name Leo in connection with D'Erlanger.  I'll look into the Gerard D'Erlanger possible connection.

Thanks for your help.
Chris

[ChrisWd]

Hi,

Further to my previous message, Gerard D'Erlanger does look like the chap sitting next to Dudley Benjafield sitting in the 3rd placed Bentley at the 1929 Le Mans in my previous link:

http://www.airtransportaux.com/history.html

However, I'm fairly sure Gerard D'Erlanger wasn't 'Andre'.

I found his biography in the Oxford DNB which says "He was educated at Eton College where he acquired the nickname ‘Pop’ by which he was known to his friends for the rest of his life.".  There's no mention of him ever having any connection with motor car racing.

From the photograph of Andre D'Erlanger and Dudley Benjafield at the 1929 Le Mans I'd estimate his age as early 30's which would make his birthyear around 1895.  Benajfield was born 1887 and looks to me 5-10 years older in the photo.

Regards,
Chris

[ShaunJ]

There's a marriage in 1946 in Barnet that might be of interest: Andre Erlanger and Clotilde Oppenheimer

[ChrisWd]

Many thanks.  I had noticed that index and it may be worth my while accessing the marriage certificate.

Regards,
Chris

[antiqphoto]

Hi Chris,

Did you ever find any information about Baron Andre d'Erlanger?
I am writing a biography of Woolf Barnato and would like to know more about the Baron as he was one of the Bentley Boys.

Thanks

Tony

[ChrisWd]

Hi Tony,

No, I haven't been able to find any more information of Andre D'Erlanger.  I have spent some time researching Woolf Barnato and would be happy to compare notes if you want to send me a PM.

Regards,
Chris