Vickers FB.5 5685 near Catterick.
On 3rd August 1916 this No.6 Reserve Squadron aeroplane suffered engine failure on a flight in the Catterick area. The pilot was unable to keep flying speed and the aeroplane spun, nose first into ground in the Catterick area.
Pilot - 2Lt John Robert Gobertus Whitehead RFC, aged 27. Buried Kensal Green Roman Catholic Cemetery, London.
John Whitehead was a grandson of Robert Whitehead, the inventor of the Whitehead torpedo and a nephew of Sir James Beethom Whitehead. He was born at Grafenegg, Austria on 20th June 1888 moved with his family back to the UK and had studied at Trinity College, Cambridge and at Eton College. After undertaking pilot training he was awarded RAeC aviators' certificate on 27th May 1916 (Cert.No.3036) after training at The Military School, Catterick Bridge.