S.E.5a D397 near Marske.
On 21st October 1918 this No.2 Flying School aeroplane was being flown on a training exercise that involved the pilot making a diving attack on a practice gunnery target at Marske at 50 feet above the ground. When pulling out of the dive the wing leading edges failed. The pilot managed to make a controlled forced landing but aeroplane was badly daamged. His name is quoted as being "2Lt F T Read" in information I have enherited but as cannot locate an RFC / RAF officer under this name I assume the name is incorrect. The name I suggest below is purely my suggestion based on him being with the unit at the time and having a similar name.
(Assumed) Pilot - 2Lt Thomas Frederick Reading RAF.
Thomas Reading was born on 1st January 1899 in the Prescot area of Lancashire and his father lived at Widnes when enlisted for service. His service record stated that he initially served in the 221st Infantry Battalion but gives no indication of the regiment. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps around the October 1917 time and then transferred to the RAF when it formed on 1st April 1918. He trained at No.42 Training Squadron from 28th August 1918 being posted to No.2 Flying School on 12th October 1918. He was later placed on the Unemployed List on 6th February 1919. He would marry in the same area of Lancashire in 1927 and he died in the Spring of 1956.