"GOLDEN T"
Owned by Arthur E. George, a typical English sportsman of the day, he was initially a champion cyclist in South Africa before the turn of the century and later served in the Second Boer War.
Returning to England in 1902, he formed the company George & Jobling with Robert Lee Jobling, at first manufacturing bicycles and later motor cars and automobile bodies. The company were also agents for other brands namely Argil, Darracq, Hillman, Fordson and Ford. George & Jobling are also credited as inventing the forerunner of the trollyjack and the breakdown truck and survived at the same premises for over 60 years.
A.E.George was also an active racing car driver achieving his best result in 1908 placing third driving a Darracq in the RAC Tourist Trophy race. He also won many races at Brooklands, Saltburn Sands and hillclimb events in a stripped down Model T Ford. This same car would later be fitted with a brass body and was recently restored after being taken from it's long hibernation in an English barn. It was also the subject of a television show on the BBC Network.
During this time George was also an accomplished aviator gaining his flying certificate in 1910 and later designing his own aircraft until a crash at an airshow and a rejection by the banks for further funds put a stop to such ambitious pursuits. Although this was a set back, he didn't stop flying. He also served with distinction in both World Wars.
A.E.George passed away in 1951 and was awarded a posthumous Silver Medal from the Royal Aero Club.