Denys Corbett Wilson | |
---|---|
Born | 1882 |
Died | May 10, 1915 Vicinity of Fournes-en-Weppes, France |
Cause of death | Killed in action[1] |
Resting place | Grave/Memorial Reference: XV.M.38. Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France |
Nationality | United Kingdom |
Aviation career | |
Known for | Made the first complete flight from Great Britain to Ireland[2][3] |
Air force | Royal Flying Corps |
Denys Corbett Wilson (1882-10 May 1915) was a pioneering Irish aviator.
He is most notable for his 100-minute flight on 22 April 1912, from Goodwick in Pembrokeshire to Enniscorthy - from the island of Great Britain to the island of Ireland. The journey time was 1 hour 40 minutes.[4]
This was the first complete flight between Britain and Ireland; an earlier flight had been made by actor-aviator Robert Loraine on 11 September 1910. Loraine flew from Wales (part of Great Britain) but landed 300 to 400 yards short of the Irish coast at Dublin, Ireland.[5][2]
He had initially set off from Hendon Aerodrome on 17 April 1912, together with his friend and fellow pilot Damer Leslie Allen who disappeared the following day over the Irish Sea while attempting a flight from Holyhead, Wales to Ireland.[2]
A Lieutenant serving in the Third Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, on 10 May 1915 Corbett-Wilson and his observer were on a reconnaissance mission in a Morane Parasol when their aircraft was struck by an enemy shell. Both were reported to have been killed instantly.[1] He is buried in the Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France.