F.E.2d A1945 near Lotherton Hall.

During the afternoon of Saturday, 13th January 1917 this No.46 Reserve Squadron, Royal Flying Corps aeroplane was being flown on a flight around the general Bramham Moor area when it flew into a snow storm. The aeroplane failed to clear Ringhay Woods and crashed killing the pilot. A fire broken out and the aeroplane was destroyed. The body of the pilot was initially recovered to the chapel at Lotherton Hall. The pilot had been an eye witness to a fatal crash that occurred at Bramham Moor on 10th January 1917, he was first on the scene and had given evidence at the inquests of two deceased the day prior to his own death.

Pilot - 2Lt Thomas Hugo French RFC, aged 21. Buried Woodham Walter Churchyard, Essex.

Thomas French was born on 21st June 1895 at Roxwell, Essex and was eductaed at King's School, Canterbury. He initially served in the 18th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). He served in France in late-1915 and early-1916 before returning to England to undertake officer training then transferring to the Royal Flying Corps. He was granted a commission in the Royal Flying Corps on 5th August 1916 and posted to No.46 Squadron in December 1916. He was later commemorated by a plaque in the chapel at Lotherton Hall.

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