A
former racing motorist and tester of aeroplane engines, who became the
first manager of the Crescent Cinema, Pontefract, died in a London
hospital last week, aged 68. He was Mr. Robert Henry Wil-de-Gose, who
for the past twelve years had lived in Mill Hill, Pontefract. A
mechanical engineer by profession, Mr. Wil-de-Gose began a long
association with Pontefract in the early 1920’s when he became the
manager of the former Motor Transport Co. The managing director, the
late Mr. J. Edwards, later formed the company which built the Crescent
Cinema, which opened in November 1926, with Mr. Wil-de-Gose as the
manager.
He
remained in that capacity for over seventeen years, retiring in 1943
soon after Star Cinemas (London) Ltd., had acquired the cinema. He then
went to live at Beckley, Oxfordshire, but was unable to settle, and
returned to Pontefract to help in the war effort by taking a job at the
Humber Works in Ferrybridge Road, where aeroplane engines were
assembled. About five years ago he had a serious breakdown in health due
to heart trouble but recovered and was able to get about.
Mr.
Wil-de -Gose was attracted to motor racing after serving an
apprenticeship with a motor engineering firm. The sport then was in its
infancy but he showed great enthusiasm for it and became a noted driver
at Brooklands. His most outstanding success was in winning the All-Comer’s
Plate at Brooklands in 1910 at an average speed of 97 miles an hour over
20 miles. His car, to which he was devoted, was a monster Grand-Prix
Itala. Classed by the Vintage Sports Car Club as an historic racing car,
it is still raced regularly on circuits and hill climbs, and even in his
later years, he renewed his acquaintance with it on his frequent visits
to the South. For some years he lost touch with it but in 1938 while
watching newsreel film he recognised his old car and was able to trace
its owner. He was a life member of the De-Lacy Motor Club, Pontefract,
and at 16 years of age he built his own motor cycle.
A
career in aviation began after his release from the Army in which he
served as a driver with the British Expeditionary Force in France during
the First World War. He became the chief engine tester with the Norman
Thompson Flight Co, and later he joined the executive staff of Handley
Page at Cricklewood and Croydon. It is believed that during this period
he took the Prince of Wales [the present Duke of Windsor] on his first
flight over London, and he also took the famous silent screen actress,
Pearl White, on a flight to France.
Throughout
his life, Mr. Wil-de-Gose had a reputation for meticulousness in
everything he undertook. He was also a man who made friends easily, and
he had many in the Pontefract district and elsewhere
His
death occurred while he was on holiday with friends. He was taken to
hospital a week or two ago, and left after making a partial recovery,
but then he had another attack and died two days after re-admission.
Cremation took place at the Mortlake Crematorium on Tuesday.
