DENNIS JONESFormer engineer Dennis Jones, who designed and made his own range of motorcycles died on 21 March, 2008, aged 92.During the 1940s, 50s and 60s, Mr Jones designed and made a variety of motorcycles, some of which were sold for up to £100,000 each.His inventions included motorcycle engines which later became popular with the Japanese and are still used today.Author Peter McManus featured Mr Jones and his achievements in his book, One Man’s Motorcycles 1939-1949.He said: "I once asked Dennis how he managed to achieve what he did and he responded by saying that anyone could do it."Of course, we all knew that just wasn't true – there were only a few men in the world who could do what he did."Ivan Rhodes, a close family friend, said: "He was extremely successful at what he did and many famous people raced on his bikes. These included world champions like Bill Lomas."Mr Jones also competed in motorcycle races on his own Jones’ Specials range of bikes, and won trophies at a variety of world-class venues, including Donington Park and the Isle of Man.During the 1930s, he also worked for Rolls-Royce as a premier apprentice, which was a highly skilled position.At Rolls-Royce, Mr Jones worked alongside Lord Ernest Hives, who was in charge of the aero-engine production of the wartime Merlin and Griffin engines.Derek Bedwell met Mr Jones during his time working for Rolls-Royce. He said: "There was a limited number of motorcycle enthusiasts at Rolls-Royce and I was certainly one of them – Dennis was the other."During the Second World War, Mr Jones was asked to design a large torpedo, to be driven by a Merlin engine, to attack a major submarine pen in Saint-Nazaire.Mr Jones also had the honour of working with Sir Frank Whittle, the inventor of the jet engine for a short period of time.His widow, Rosemary Jones, said: "He was a friendly, happy person and always had a good word for people. He was the type of person who always offered a helping hand to those in need."Commercially, he started his own business, Cue and Jones of Long Eaton, Derbyshire, which made invalid cars for the Ministry of Pensions.He gave people without personal mobility the chance to drive again. He sold the company when he retired at the age of 70.Mr Jones had been suffering with Alzheimer’s disease for three years and was diagnosed with cancer in July. He died in the Macmillan Unit at the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.
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