Oates, J. Graham, 1898-1972 : J. Graham Oates (1898-1972), an avid motorcyclist, was born in Douglas on the Isle of Man. England and later served as a dispatch horseback and motorcycle courier in WWI (1914-1916). During World War 1, he was gassed and as a result, lost the sight of his left eye. After convalescence, he recognized the possible growth of the motorcycling industry and decided to manufacture a Manx-built machine known as the Aurora. From 1920 to 1926 he competed in many competitions throughout Britain. In 1926, Oates travelled to Bolivia and worked at the world's highest tin mine in the Andes.
In 1928, on his way back home to Britain, he made a holiday stop over in Canada and met a wartime colleague who was attempting, without a great deal of success, to sell Castrol Oil in Canada. To gain nation-wide publicity, Oates suggested that Castrol Oil sponsor him on an across Canada ride on an Ariel 500 cc motorcycle and sidecar. The trip had never before been achieved on a rubber tired vehicle.
Oates began the trip at Halifax in July 1928 and soon realized that roads did not exist for many sections of the country and was forced to ride 800 miles between the railway lines. After 21 days of adventure, Oates arrived in Vancouver.
During the next three years, Oates remained in Canada and created a thriving motorcycle and boat dealership. In 1932, he returned to Britain and with the assistance of the editor of the Weekly Times, Oates planned his longest and most spectacular trip throughout England and Canada, this time to promote the sale of Empire Goods. After travelling 1800 miles around England he set sail to Canada and retraced the 1928 trip as far as Winnipeg. He then travelled northward, once more using the rails, to Hudson Bay. He was the first person to reach Hudson Bay on a rubber tired vehicle. There was still a lack of roads across the centre of Canada, but this time Oates was better prepared for rail travel. A small pair of flanged wheels were attached to the front and rear of the machine and the sidecar wheel axel extended outward to fit the gauge of the rails, making it possible to ride on the rails. During the latter part of the trip, the Ariel company, his main sponsor went into liquidation, leaving Oates stranded in Montreal. As a result he worked as an assistant steward on a tramp steamer bound for Glasgow. After his return to Britain, he participated in many motorcycling events throughout Europe.
In 1939, he was recalled to the Royal Army Service Corps. and established a school for soliders about to enter WII as pispatch drivers. He trained new recruits throughout WII and later retired, as a Lt. Colonel.
After the war, Oates assisted with the formation and running of cycling and scooter events. In 1964, he started the roofing firm of J. Graham Oates Ltd., which continues today.
