Denys Corbett Wilson - aviator

Getting ready for take off

Flying over Goodwick

Crowds surrounded the parked aircraft

A modern view of the takeoff site

Tom Latter

Centenary Commemoration

Tom Latter

On the 21^st of April 1912, Denys Corbett Wilson, an early aviator landed his aircraft, a Bleriot X1, in a field above Harbour Village, Goodwick en route in his attempt to become the first person to fly from Britain to Ireland.

The following morning crowds watched his departure and  an hour and forty minutes later he landed at Crane, near Enniscorthy in Southern Ireland, thus achieving his aim.

Denys Corbett Wilson never actually intended to make the crossing from Goodwick. He and another amateur pilot, Darmer Leslie Allen, were in friendly competition as to who would be the first to make the flight and they intended to start from Holyhead on Anglesey. They set off together from Hendon in North London but Denys was delayed by engine trouble on the Welsh border. In order not to miss the favourable weather he decided to make the crossing from Goodwick. His friend kept to the original plan and flew from Holyhead. He encountered bad weather and his plane went down in the sea. His body was never found. Goodwick proved to be a good call for Denys!

(With thanks to Natasha de Chroustchoff for the above extra information)

A commemorative plaque has been erected in the field from which he made this historic flight. A book telling the story behind this achievement is available to borrow (or purchase!) at Fishguard Library.