On 29th September 1918 the pilot of this aircraft was carrying out stunt-flying in the Redcar area while he was either in the process of being filmed for, or practicing a routine which was to be filmed so an instructional film could be put together. While flying at 1000ft the pilots clothing became entangled in the aircraft controls and the aircraft entered a dive from which the pilot was unable to recover. The aircraft crashed just off-shore at Redcar and sadly the pilot lost his life as a result. Through correspondance with a researcher of the School of Aerial Fighting, Mr Les Parsons, his research has discovered a letter from another flying instructor at Redcar dated 4th September 1918 when this other instructor was also flying while being filmed and on this occasion had completed over thirty loop-the-loops. It is not known what became of the film.

Pilot - Major Leslie Peech Aizlewood MC AFC RAF, aged 23, of Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Buried Old Marske Churchyard, Yorkshire.

Following his death the Commanding Officer at Redcar made the following statement to the press... “He was one of the most brilliant pilots in the Royal Air Force. A keen officer, always ready for any duty that he was called upon the perform and his death is a very great loss not only to this school but to the whole nation. As fighting instructor he displayed great organising abilities , and the success of this school is largely due to his loyal support and untiring efforts. Had he been spared, he would have made a great name for himself. We are left to mourn a most gallant soldier and a very staunch comrade.”

Leslie Aizlewood was probably the highest ranked and most decorated service personnel killed in Yorkshire during the First World War. His service begun with the 5th Bn, The York and Lancaster Regiment, a Territoral Unit, he was made Lieutenant on 2nd September 1914 and then made Temporary Captain on 26th July 1915. He was seconded to the RFC on 17th May 1916 although had been flying for some months previously. He then served with a number of Squadrons, 9 RS, 35 RS, 35 Sqn, 40 Sqn and 32 Sqn and during his time in France had shot down four enemy aircraft. He was awarded the Military Cross on 20th October 1916, The Citation reads.. "Lt. (temp. Capt.) Leslie Beech Aizlewood, York and Lanc. R. and R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantry and skill. Seeing five hostile machines, he manoeuvred to get between them and their lines; then, diving on one of them, he reserved his fire till he was only twenty yards off. The hostile machine fell out of control, but he was so close to it that he collided with it, breaking his propeller and damaging his machine. Though it was barely controllable, he managed to get back to our lines."

In February 1917 he was wounded but after recovering he was, on 19th March 1917, posted to 1 A S of A to act as a flying instructor, eleven days later he was posted to HQ North Group, also to act as a flying instructor. On 27th May he was posted to 24 Wing HQ also as a flying instructor. In October 1917 he was graded as Squadron Commander and made a Flight Commander and became chief instructor with 1 School of Fighting on 21st October 1917. On 1st January 1918 he was made a Temporary Major and posted to 1 School of Aerial Fighting, then on 27th April 1918 he was posted to 4 Aux School of AG before his final posting to 2 School of Aerial Fighting on 27th May 1918. His AFC was gazetted after his death in the New Year list on 1st January 1919 and there was no citation for the AFC that I can find.