B.E.2e 7184 at Carlton.
Just prior to this eventual incident occurring this No.33 Home Defence Squadron, Royal Flying Corps must have made a forced landing near Carlton, between Goole and Selby and was almost certainly left undamaged by this. On 4th September 1917 the crew were attempting to take off at Carlton to flew back to Elsham aerodrome when one wing of the aeroplane struck Carlton church spire, it then crashed injuring both men flying in the aeroplane. This would presumably have been St.Mary's church. The pilot was a No.33 (Home Defence) Squadron pilot at the time of the incident, his injuries appear to have taken him off flying duties for some months. The "Observer" appears to have never served in the Royal Flying Corps and his role within the Army in the East Riding of Yorkshire is perhaps the reason for the aeroplane being in the Carlton area in the first place. He served in the East Riding Royal Garrison Artillery. The E.R.R.G.A. operated coastal gun batteries.
Pilot (inst) - Lt William McLea Walbank RFC. Injured.
"Observer" - Lt Frank Kenneth Keighley ERRGA. Injured.
Frank Keighley served in the East Riding Royal Garrison Artillery, he does not appear to have ever been seconded to the Royal Flying Corps.
William Walbank was born on 2nd September 1891 and lived in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He initially served in the Canadian Field Artillery before transferring to the RFC. He was posted back to Canada in early 1918.