Now got a copy of the Coroner’s report with witness statements.

Lieutenant Trout had just taken off to deliver the R.E.8 to Lympne and had done a similar operation two days previously. The aircraft (3772) was air tested two days previously (Lt. C. Thomas) and the engine examined the day before (Sgt. G. Sutcliffe). There was no other aircraft involved so the P/O Prune newscutting must be a seperate event. Lt. Thomas was airborne at the time of the accident and saw 3772 flying immediately before the crash.

Although simply classed as a “flying accident” by the Coroner it is unclear from the evidence wether the crash was as a result of mechanical/structural failure or pilot error. One Herbert Fortnum, Chief Fire Officer at Messrs. White and Poppe’s stated that he went outdoors because “an aeroplane passing over the factory..” “.. was making peculiar noises..”

The 69th Squadron was based at South Carlton, Lincolnshire.

Roger Smith.