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

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

Cycling

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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

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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

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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

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  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.