Pembrokeshire’s first home-grown aviators
In 1913, brothers Henry Howard and John Herbert “Hebbie” James became the first people in Pembrokeshire to build and fly their own aircraft.
Their homemade wooden biplane, inspired by the French Caudron design, was built here in Narberth.
The first attempt to fly it near Clunderwen ended in a crash, but the brothers refused to give up. They repaired the aircraft and, on 22 November 1913, successfully took to the air. The following year they were flying planes over Narberth.
The brothers hoped to establish an aircraft factory in the town, but the First World War changed their plans. Both later became successful test pilots.
From a homemade machine built in Narberth to becoming Pembrokeshire’s aviation pioneers, the James brothers were truly ahead of their time.