On 11th December 1916 this RNAS Flying School aeroplane sustained damage at Redcar aerodrome when it flew into the ground during an attempted landing on the pilot's first solo flight. The pilot was thrown clear but sustained concussion and bruising.
Pilot - FSL James Page Everitt RNAS. Injured.
James Everitt was on 21st September 1898 in Wales. His father was German by birth, born Charles Stiffe, but he adopted his mother's maiden name Everitt at some stage. James Everitt enlisted for RNAS service on 8th October 1916 and was granted a commission. He undertook flying training at the RNAS Redcar Flying School between 4th November 1916 to 10th March 1917 but having sustained injuries on 11th December 1916 he was initially treated locally then sent to Chatham Hospital between 28th December 1916 and 17th January 1917. He was posted back to RNAS Redcar and completed the course there. He then received a posting to RNAS Cranwell and onward to Eastchurch in June 1917. Where he served until he transferred to the RAF on its formation in April 1918 is unknown. On 4th May 1918 he was flying a No.4 Aircraft Service Depot aeroplane over France when he was attacked by an enemy aeroplane and he received a bullet wound to the head. He was admitted to hospital in Dunkirk and spent some time recovering. He was placed on the Unemployed List on 8th February 1919. He died in Hertfordshire in 1974.
His brother 2Lt John Paxman Everitt, 15th Bttn, West Yorkshire Regiment was killed on 1st July 1916 during the attack on the village of Serre on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave and, like so many, is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
Caudron G.III 8945 was built by British Caudron Company Ltd at Hendon and was delivered to AAP at Hendon on 24th May 1916 where it was tested and accepted on 26th May 1916. It was taken apart and transported by rail to RNAS Redcar on 11th July 1917. Following re-erection and testing it was accepted on 2nd August 1916 and then joined the RNAS Flying School at Redcar. It was damaged in accidents at Redcar on 23rd August 1916, 24th October 1916 and 11th December 1916 from which it was repaired on site. On 21st January 1917 it was again damaged at Redcar but was not repaired, it was assessed and deleted from stock on 31st January 1917.
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