Sopwith 1F1 Camel D1880 at Marske aerodrome.

On 15th October 1918 this No.2 Fighting School Sopwith Camel had become struck in a rut on Marske airfield and a number of men were attempting to remove it when it was struck from behind by a taxying unidentified S.E.5 aircraft. Unfortunately one airman received fatal injuries and another was slightly injured on the ground as a result of this accident.

Mechanic? - Sgt Robert Smith Lightbody RAF (98840). Slightly injured.

Pilot? - 2Lt John Edward Quin RAF, aged 23. Buried Hebburn Cemetery, Durham.

John Quin was born on 4th March 1897 at Felling on Tyne. His service file does not have a lot of information within it but does state that he served with the Northumberland Fusiliers prior to transferring to the Royal Flying Corps. He was an RFC Cadet in January 1918 and appears to have been undergoing pilot training at Marske at the time of his death.

Robert Lightbody was born on 24th September 1899. He was training with the Royal Flying Corps at Halton in September 1917 which points toward him being an aeroplane mechanic rather than a pilot, despite the casualty card for this incident stating he was a pilot.

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