On 13th May 1918 Airco DH.4 A7826 was undertaking a training flight with No.2 School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery when it collided with Sopwith Camel B7448 in the region of Marske airfield. The available information does not state that the aeroplanes were actually in the air so this may have been a ground collision. The pilot of this DH.4 received minor injuries.
Pilot - Lt Alexander Cattanach RAF. Injured.
Alexander Cattanach was born on 8th June 1895 in Scotland and was the son of Alexander Cattanach. His father was a prominent architect. Alexander (Jnr) served in the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders serving in France from February 1915 and receiving a commission in September 1915. He was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps in Summer 1917 and would train as an instructor. He was described as a First Class Instructor (Distinguished) in March 1918. He transferred to the RAF when it formed on 1st April 1918 and was posted to No.4 (Auxillary) School of Aerial Gunnery on 4th May 1918 when then became No.2 School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery on 6th May 1918. He was probably serving as an instructor at Redcar at the time the accident on 13th May 1918 and his injuries cannot have been too serious as his service file suggests he was back on actice service in June 1918. He was later transferred to the Unemployed List on 30th September 1919. He probably re-enlisted for army reserve service in the 1920s and was granted the rank of Col. He became a prominent Scottish architect, took over his father's practice in 1928 and died in January 1977. He is buried at Kingussie Parish Churchyard.
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