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[[stamp]] FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE [[/stamp]]

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HARRY HOLMES
Pioneer West Coast Aviator

   Harry Holmes was born in Kalmar, Sweden, August 16, 1885, but information is lacking concerning his early life, education and when he came to the United States.
   Entering aviation he learned to fly at Dominguez Flying Field, Los Angeles, California in the fall of 1911.  There both he and Lester Holt were learning at the same time, using a Curtiss-type pusher biplane formerly owned by Charles Walsh, powered by a 4-cylinder 40 H.P. Hall-Scott engine.
   During the summer of 1912 Holmes and Holt were flying exhibitions in the midwest, with their headquarters at Cicero Field, Chicago, Illinois.  In late November they returned to Los Angeles for the winter.
   On January 5th, 1913 Holmes flew his tests for pilot license at Dominguez Field and obtained F.A.I. Certificate No. 204, dated January 29th.  At that time he was flying a Day tractor biplane.  For the balance of 1913 and part of 1914 Holmes worked for Glenn Martin, both as a mechanic and pilot.  During that time he learned to fly Hydros and filled some exhibition dates for Martin, using both land and water planes.  In late Summer of 1914 he became associated with Tom Hill, who had a Eleriot monoplane at Venice, California.  Holmes went on the road, with Hill as his mechanic, on an exhibition tour of the northwest and remained with him until Hill was killed in a crash at Venice on December 3d.

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