On 19th August 1916 this RNAS Home Defence Flight aeroplane was wrecked following a force-landing at Redcar due to engine failure.
Pilot - FSL Harold Thomas Mellings RNAS.
Scout 3038 was made by Bristol Aeroplane Ltd at Filton and was delivered to Redcar on 19th December 1915 where it joined the RNAS Home Defence Flight. The aeroplane had been damaged at Redcar on 5th February 1916 but had been repaired and returned to the unit. Following the accident at Redcar on 19th August 1916 it was then deemed beyond economic repair and deleted from stock on 29th August 1916.
Harold Mellings was born on 5th August 1897 in Bromfield, Shropshire. He learnt to fly at the Beatty School, Hendon gaining his Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificate (Cert.No.2028) on 11th November 1915. He served at RNAS Redcar Home Defence Flight between 16th August 1916 and 18th September 1916. Days later he was heading out to join No.2 Wing in the Mediterranean and scored his first victory on 30th September 1916 over Smyma, Greece. For service with No,2 Wing he was awarded the DSC, Gazetted on 22nd June 1917, the citation reads.. "In recognition of his services on the 19th March 1917, when he attacked a hostile aeroplane with great gallantry at heights varying from 12,000 to 2,000 feet." He was also awarded a Bar to the DSC, Gazetted on 19th December 1917, the citation reads.."For the great skill, judgment and dash displayed by him off Mudros on the 30th September 1917, in a successful attack on three enemy seaplanes, two of which were brought down in the sea." In January 1918 he was posted back to England but was soon flying with 10 Naval Squadron in France around February 1918 and scored his what was then his sixth victory on 28th February 1918 near Ypres. He was wounded in action on 15th April 1918. 10 Naval Squadron RNAS became 210 Squadron RAF when the RAF was formed and Captain Harold Mellings transferred with the unit to the RAF. During the morning of 22nd July 1918 he shot down two enemy aircraft flying a Sopwith Camel but later in the day was himself shot down over Oostend by Ludwig Beckmann and killed. He was still only eighteen years old. He is buried at Ramscappelle Road Military Cemetery, Belgium. He was the holder of the DSC and Bar and the DFC and the Greek "Royal Order of the Redeemer". He was also awarded a DFC after his death, which was Gazetted on 21st September 1918 to Lieut (Honary Captain) Mellings, the citation reads.. "A very gallant officer who, on a recent patrol, attacked and caused to crash an enemy two-seater. Later, on the same patrol, he was attacked by four Fokkers, one of which he shot down at a range of ten yards; this machine was seen to crash. A second was driven down smoking. Since he was awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross Captain Mellings has, in addition to the above, accounted for eleven enemy machines—seven destroyed, and four driven down out of control."