The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-13
ponulnr sportsmnn.

n,
Rolls was thirty-thrce years old. and
was one OF the most popular young
all-around sportsmen in England. HIS
death will be great blow to aristo-
cratic sporting enthusiasts. with all
whom he was great personal faVoT-
ite. At ballooning. at motoring and
later In the field of aviation he had
distinguished himself by his utter fear
lessness, and was satisfied with noth-
ing short OF record-breaking in what
ever line of sport he took to.
Undoubtedly his crowning feat was
his round trip across the channel be-
tween Dover and Calais, in a Wright
biplane, on June last. Two French-
men. Louis Deloit and Count de Les
scps, already had crossed the channel,
and Hubert Latham had almost sue
ceeded Channel dying was at dis
count in England. because 1t was con-
sidered an old story, and also because
national pride suffered from the mo-
.nopoly OF 1t by F'renchmen. when Rolls
electrified the entire kingdom by doU-
bling the accomplishments of his pre-
decessors. The distance between Do
;yer and Calais is twenty one miles, and
when Rolls did the round trip of for
ity-two miles in ninety minutes, with
out stopping. his performance was q
marvellous one. both for distance and
time Rolls was as modest as he was
daring and received the congratula-
tions which showered upon him after
his great feat almost with embarrass-
ment.
Pioneer of Motoring.
In his youth Rolls was one of the
pioneers of motoring in England. He
drove a motor car about while the or
dlnance was still in force that every
self-propelled vehicle on the public
roads must be preceded by a man car
rvtng a red flag, to warn pedestrians
Since 1896 he has been one Of the
best known motor experts In Europe
IN 1900 he won the gold medal in the
1,OO0-mile automobile race. He wa:
the representative Of Great Britain ir
the Gordon Bennett race of 1905, anc
.several times made world records fol
speed AS balloonist Rolls had made
more than $50 ascensions, crossed tht
channel several times In balloons, ant
In 1906, by a journey from Paris t
Sherbourne and Norfolk. gained th'
h French Aero Clubs medal for the long
est balloon journey.
Rolls was the third son OF Lore
Ilangattock, and was intended for th
diplomatic service, but he showed sucl
enthusiasm for science and mechanic
that his parents thought 1t was bet
ter. for him to become sood scien
\ fist than poor diplomat. He wa
educated at Elton and Cambridge
where he specialized in engineering an
electricity.sHe was captain OF the cam
bridge University bicycle team, an
gained his military title with the Etc
Volunteer Battery. Rolls had write
and lectured much on his hobby. par
ticularly on the future OF motoring
and also was an expert, at music, III
was the technical managing director Q
the Rolls-Royce Motor Company, an
also captain of the London section Z
the army motor reserve corps
Expected to Visit United States
Captain Rolls had expected to con,
TO the United States this fall to civ
exhibitions of flying and to oompet
with any meetings that might be hell
After his flight of the English Char
y mel. he received the congratulattor
from King George and Queen Mar.
was given the gold medal Of Roys
Il yAero Club, and altogether was one Z
lcontinued on Second Page).