R.E.8 C2441 at Catterick aerodrome.
During the morning of 29th June 1918 this 127 Squadron aeroplane was being flown on a flight with the purpose being photography when, at 10.00hrs, the engine failed. The pilot attempted to make a banked turn but owing to the lack of flying speed the aeroplane stalled and entered a spin. At the height at which it was being flown there was not enough space to recover control and it crashed onto the aerodrome site. 127 Squadron were based at Catterick. The pilot was admitted to hospital. The photograph shows the crash site with a large aerodrome hanger in the background.
Pilot - 2Lt Alfred Norman Ryles RAF. Injured.
Alfred Ryles was born on 28th March 1899 at Gateshead and joined the Royal Flying Corps in Spring 1917. He was granted a commission on 21st February 1918 and transferred to the RAF when it formed on 1st April 1918. He was posted to 127 Squadron on 10th April 1918. He was transferred to the Unemployed List on 1st August 1919. He rejoined the RAFVR in 1941 and served with the ATC.