Glen Kidston
George Pearson Glen Kidston (b. 23 January 1899 - d. 5 May 1931, Natal, South Africa) was a record-breaking aviator and motor racing driver from Britain. He was a member of the infamous Bentley Boys of the late 1920s, and possibly the wealthiest of that already wealthy set.[1] He was one of the four, core, Grosvenor Square-based members, who's day-long parties passed into contemporary legend.[2]
A former Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy - torpedoed twice during World War I[3] - Glen Kidston competed in numerous races including prestigious events such as the Monte Carlo Rally, Isle of Man TT motorcycle races, and Shelsley Walsh hillclimb. He entered the Le Mans 24 hour race in 1929 and 1930. On the second occasion he won the race, driving a Bentley Speed Six in partnership with Woolf Barnato.
In early 1931, Glen Kidston completed a record breaking flight from Croydon to Cape Town.[4] He completed the journey in just 6½ days, flying a specially adapted Lockheed Vega monoplane.[3] However, Kidston was never to make the return trip. After earlier near misses in aeroplane, motorcycle, speed boat and even submarine accidents, Kidston was killed, only a year after his Le Mans triumph, when his borrowed de Havilland Tiger Moth broke up in mid-air while flying through a dust storm over South Africa.[5][3]
References
- ^ Kimes, Beverley Rae. "Glen Kidston: A Boy and His Bentley". Retrieved 2007-02-12.
- ^ Gear Wheels. "Bentley Boys". Retrieved 2007-02-12.
- ^ a b c Time. "British Tragedies". Retrieved 2007-02-12.
- ^ McAdam, J. "Birth of an Airline". Retrieved 2007-02-12.
- ^ Benjafield's Racing Club. "Glen Kidston". Retrieved 2007-02-12.
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