R.E.8 A4579 near Doncaster aerodrome.
On 14th July 1917 this No.15 Training Squadron was being test flown following repairs carried out after a crash landing at Doncaster aerodrome just three days previously. While on the approach to land at Doncaster the pilot misjudged his height and flew into a haystack. The pilot sustained head injuries that included cuts to both lips and four broken teeth.
Pilot - 2Lt Victor Mercer-Smith RFC. Injured.
Victor Mercer-Smith was born on 3rd July 1896 at South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He was serving in the Royal Flying Corps by November 1916 and was at No.15 Training Squadron from 25th April 1917. He later served with No.103 Squadron, RAF in France and was made a PoW on 16th June 1918 in an incident that saw him wounded flying DH.9 C2200. He returned to the UK after the end of hostilities, was transferred to the Unemployed List on 3rd May 1919 and was repatriated to Australia.