Arthur Whitten Brown

Arthur Whitten Brown. Sir Arthur Whitten Brown was a pioneering British aviator and Royal Flying Corps officer who, alongside Captain John Alcock, achieved the first non-stop transatlantic flight in June 1919. Their historic journey from St. John's, Newfoundland to Clifden, County Galway in a modified Vickers Vimy bomber cemented their place in aviation history. For this feat, both men were knighted by King George V and awarded the Daily Mail prize.

Early life and education

Born in Glasgow to American parents, his father was an electrical engineer. The family later moved to Manchester, where he was educated and began an apprenticeship in engineering. He developed a keen interest in aeronautics and studied the principles of navigation and meteorology, skills that would prove crucial to his future achievements. Before the First World War, he worked as an engineer in various industrial firms.

Aviation career

At the outbreak of the First World War, he enlisted in the British Army and later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. Serving as an observer, his aircraft was shot down over Germany in 1915, leading to his internment as a prisoner of war for the remainder of the conflict. After the war, he sought employment in the nascent aviation industry and joined Vickers Limited, where he became involved in preparations for the transatlantic challenge. His expertise in celestial navigation made him an ideal candidate for the role of navigator on the ambitious flight attempt.

Transatlantic flight

Piloted by John Alcock, the pair took off from Lester's Field in St. John's, Newfoundland on 14 June 1919. Their aircraft, a modified Vickers Vimy bomber, faced severe challenges including fog, ice, and mechanical trouble with the wireless set. Relying on dead reckoning and occasional sextant readings through cloud breaks, he successfully navigated the 1,880-mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean. After 16 hours and 28 minutes, they crash-landed in a bog near Clifden, County Galway, in Ireland, achieving their historic goal. The flight was immediately celebrated worldwide, and they were received as heroes in London and at Windsor Castle.

Later life and legacy

Following the flight and their subsequent knighthoods, he worked for a period with the Vickers aviation company. He later held positions with the Metropolitan-Vickers electrical company and served during the Second World War in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. His health declined in later years, and he died at his home in Swansea in 1948. His legacy is intrinsically linked to that of Alcock, with their daring flight demonstrating the feasibility of long-distance air travel and directly inspiring future milestones like Charles Lindbergh's solo transatlantic crossing.

Honours and memorials

He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1919 and was also awarded the Military Cross (MC). He and Alcock jointly received the Daily Mail prize of £10,000. A memorial to the fliers stands at London Heathrow Airport, and their aircraft is preserved at the Science Museum in London. The Royal Aero Club awarded them its Gold Medal, and numerous streets and institutions, particularly in Manchester, bear their names.

Category:British aviators Category:1886 births Category:1948 deaths