1914 - Vivian Hewitt at Swansea

The First Transatlantic Flight, made June 1919, flown by British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown is well recorded. 

1912, shadowed by the Titanic Diester, Vivian Hewitt made the second flight from UK to Ireland over the Irish Sea on 26^th April 1912.  The first flight across the Irish Sea, was made on the 22^nd. 

This flight was made by Denys Corbett Wilson.  The flight, in a Bleriot XI taking off from Goodwick, Pembrokeshire landing at Enniscorthy, county Wexford, took 1 hour and 40 mins

Denys Corbett Wilson

 

 

 

 

The Cambria Daily Leader
1st August 1914

1^st August 1914, The Cambria Daily Leader, published an article, “Aviator’s Visit to Swansea” announcing that Vivian Hewitt was going to pay Swansea a visit

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vivian Vaughan David Hewitt

Who is Hewitt? Vivian Vaughan David Hewitt, whom was referred to as the "The Modest Millionaire"

Hewitt, a pioneering Welsh aviator, was born, 1888, Grimsby.  Hewitt, was the son of Titus H. and Julia M. Hewitt.  Hewitt was born into a wealth brewery family business.  The family moved back to Bodfari, Denbighshire, then moving to Hampstead, where Hewitt's father Titus Henry Hewitt, died 1910, at his home Ashbridge House, Hampstead, Middlesex

British 1901 Census
1st April 1901
Bodfari, St. Stephen, Flintshire

 

British 1911 Census
2nd April 1911
Ashbridge, Windsor Terrace, Hampstead, Middlesex

Damer Leslie Allen

Hewitt succeed the 75-mile flight from Kinmel Bay, Holyhead and landing Dublin, Ireland.  Damer Leslie Allen, an Irish pilot, who tried to claim the title at the same time as Denys Corbett Wilson, took off from Holyhead, Wales and disappeared over the Irish Sea leading to his death on the 18^th April.   Hewitt, claimed that Allen, had insufficient experience as an aviator.

Hewitt gained his Royal Aero Aviators’ Certificate on 1^st October 1912.  After the First World War, Hewitt, gave up flying

Vivian Vaughan Davies Hewitt
Aviator's Certificate
1st October 1912

 

1939 England and Wales Register
Bryn Aber Cemlyn Cemaes Bay
Twrecelyn, Anglesey

Hewitt whom was wealthy and somewhat eccentric, brought a house called, Bryn Aber, Anglesey, during the 1930s.  Hewitt  who was a keen ornithologist set up and an opened bird sanctuary, where he changed the saltmarsh area into large lagoon. 


It was here that Hewitt, who had been employed on the Railways, on the 1939 Register, is listed as Mechanical Engineer-Retired.

During the 1950s and 60s, Hewitt, is a resident in the Bahamas, where Hewitt died in 1965.

Today the bird sanctuary at Bryn Aber, is managed by North Wales Wildlife Trust