George Arthur Barnes (19 July 1883 – 1 February 1919) was an English racing motorcyclist and a pioneer aviator.

George Arthur Barnes
Born(1883-07-19)19 July 1883
Died1 February 1919(1919-02-01) (aged 35)
Paddington, London, England
NationalityBritish
OccupationPilot
Known forMotorcyclist and pioneer aviator

Early life edit

Barnes was born at Hoxton, London on 19 July 1883. He attended school at North House School Crawley.

Cycling edit

His first pedal cycle race in Southend was over Easter weekend in April 1901. He earned the 1 mile tandem cycle record at Crystal Palace on 8 October 1901. He also earned the one hour and 50 miles records at Crystal Palace on 19 June 1902.

Motorcycles edit

Between 1904 and 1905, Barnes was in a partnership with George Wilton, manufacturing and selling motorcycles as George A. Barnes & Co.; the partnership was dissolved on 17 August 1905.[1]

Aviation edit

On 21 June 1910, Barnes flew a Humber monoplane at Brooklands to gain the Royal Aero Club's Aviator's Certificate No. 16,[2] although he was already employed by the Humber company as a pilot.[3] In the 1911 Census of Lewisham, he described himself as an aviator living at the Crown and Anchor in Lewisham with his widowed mother.[4]

He died of Pneumonia on 1 February 1919 at Paddington, London.

References edit

  1. ^ "Partnerships Dissolved". News. The Times. No. 37793. London. 23 August 1905. col D, p. 9.
  2. ^ "Aero club | royal aero | aviation meeting | 1910 | 0492 | Flight Archive". Flight. II (26): 490. 25 June 1910.
  3. ^ "Major lindsay | avis monoplane | lindsay lloyd | 1910 | 0407 | Flight Archive". Flight: 405–406. 28 May 1910.
  4. ^ 1911 Census of Lewisham, RG14/2754, RG78PN95 RD29 SD3 ED5 SN87, George Arthur Barnes, Crown and Anchor 34 Algernon Road Lewisham SE.