Denys Corbett Wilson

Denys Corbett Wilson
Born	1882
Died	May 10, 1915(1915-05-10) 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.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Ireland's Roll of Honour: Losses in Irish Regiments: Officers Killed" (in English). Irish Times (Dublin): p. 6. 29 May 1915. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Flying the Irish Channel" (PDF). Flight Magazine (London: Reed Business Information) IV (17): 379. 1912-04-27. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1912/1912%20-%200379.html. Retrieved 2011-06-18. 
3. ^ "Irish Aviator's Feat: St. George's Channel Crossed" (in English). Irish Times (Dublin): p. 23. 27 April 1912. 
4. ^ Letters from an Early Bird: The Life and Letters of Denys Corbett Wilson, 1882-1915 ISBN 978-1-84415-382-4
5. ^ "Loraine's Daring Flight" (in English). Irish Times (Dublin): p. 7. 12 September 1910. 

Persondata
Name	Wilson, Denys Corbett
Alternative names
Short description	Pioneer aviator
Date of birth	1882
Place of birth
Date of death	10 May 1915
Place of death	Fournes-en-Weppes, France