B.E.2e B4454 (probably) at Copmanthorpe aerodrome.
On 2nd February 1918 this 76 Squadron aeroplane was being flown on a night flight and as it took off from "York" in a right hand turn the nose dropped. The pilot was unable to get the nose to rise again and the aeroplane crashed and burst into flames. The location given on the Accident Card simply states "York". The aerodrome on The Knavesmire had closed for regular squadron use some time before this incident but No.76 Squadron were still using Copmanthorpe. I presume this was where it was damaged.
Pilot - 2Lt Edwin Deacon Aldridge RFC. Injured.
Edwin Aldridge was born on 25th February 1897 and lived in the Spencers Wood area of Berkshire. He appears to have enlisted into the Royal Flying Corps in April 1917 and received a commission on 10th May 1917. He was then posted to No.76 (Home Defence) Squadron in August 1917. He was injured on 2nd February 1918 when No.76 Squadron B.E.2c B4454 crashed at York (probably Copmanthorpe) though returned to his unit on 8th March 1918. He then transferred to the RAF when it formed in April 1918 and the RFC folded. He was slightly injured on 17th May 1918 when 76 Squadron B.E.2c 7323 crashed but his service records gives no details of where or hospital where treatment was carried out. His posting thereafter do not appear to have been to regular front line units though ones I have identified were in Yorkshire. He eventually transferred to the Unemployed List on 10th October 1919.