On 23rd March 1917 this RNAS Flying School aeroplane was wrecked in a forced landing at Redcar following engine failure. The aircraft is listed within "AIR1/312/15/226/198" on 1st April 1917 in a daily report as being recommended for deletion on this date.
Pilot - Probationary F/O Oliver William Redgate RNAS.
Oliver Redcgate was born on 23rd November 1898 in Nottingham and was the son of Oliver Redgate who played county cricket for Nottinghamshire. He enlisted for RNAS service and was granted a commission on 21st January 1917. He was at RNAS Redcar Flying School between 17th February 1917 and 19th May 1917, being awared his Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificate (Cert.No.4579) on 30th March 1917 at Redcar. He was then posted to RNAS Cranwell and in July 1917 he was serving with No.9 Naval Squadron in France. No.9 Squadron RNAS later became 209 Squadron when the RAF formed in April 1918. He was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 3rd August 1918. The citation reads.. "On an occasion during the past two months when leading an offensive patrol of five machines, he observed an enemy formation of twelve aeroplanes attacking another formation of our scouts. He at once led his patrol to the aid of our second patrol, and as he approached it two enemy scouts dived at him. By skilful piloting he placed himself behind one of these machines and, diving on it, drove it to destruction. Captain Redgate has accounted for seven enemy machines in all, and displays enterprise and courage on all occasions." He was wounded in combat on 15th May 1918 flying a Sopwith Camel so saw out the rest of the war in England, being transferred to the Unemployed List on 17th October 1919. He died in 1929 of tuberculosis.
Caudron G.III 8949 was built by the British Caudron Company Ltd at Hendon and delivered to A.A.P. at Hendon on 30th June 1916 where it was tested and accepted on 4th July 1916. It was transferred to RNAS Redcar on 8th August 1916 and arrived on 10th August 1916 where it was used by the Flying School. After a collision at Redcar on 18th December 1916 it was repaired and returned to service before suffering a second accident on 23rd March 1917. It was not repaired after this second accident and after assessment it was deleted as beyond economic repair on 3rd April 1917.