Spad VII A9152 at Driffield.
The events that surround the photograph of this crashed aeroplane are unclear. The widely published photograph and copied notes states that the Spad VII A9152 flew into a hanger roof at Driffield aerodrome while making an approach to land on the aerodrome site, it then crashed in front of the hanger. The pilot was with No.21 T.D.S at the time. The date of 11th and 19th November 1918 is quoted but I am reasonably certain that both dates are incorrect.
The casualty card in relation to the pilot gives the date for his incident as being 11th January 1919 and states that the No.21 T.D.S pilot made a climbing turn after taking off at Driffield and while flying too low, followed by a crash. It lists the aeroplane as being a Sopwith Camel B9152. The photograph of the wrecked aeroplane most definitely shows Spad VII A9152 and not a Sopwith Camel B9152.
The named pilot's service file shows he was admitted to hospital in Hull on 10th January 1919.
For the reasons given above, I believe that the date of 10th or 11th January 1919. That said, clearly there are some issues between the casualty card / service papers and compared to the statement someone published at some stage in history that has then been taken as fact and copied by everyone else. I feel this goes to show the need to research properly and not copy other people's research. I would happily listen to anyone with any additional information to prove me wrong. There may be two different accidents at Driffield that purely have a coincidence around the serial numbers but I will go with Spad VII Z9152 being damaged at Driffield on 10th / 11th January 1919 with the pilot named below flying it and the photograph shown above depicts this crash.
Pilot - Sgt Lister Briffault RAF (9991). Born Auckland, New Zealand. Injured.
Lister Briffault was born on 15th October 1897 in the Auckland area of New Zealand. He had initially enlisted into the Navy and undertook RNAS pilot training in 1915, being awarded his Aviators' Certificate (Cert 1628) after training at RNAS Chingford in August 1915. Unfortunately his commanding officer deemed him unsuitable to hold a commission in the RNAS so his appointment was terminated in September 1915. What he did between Autumn 1915 and 1918 is unclear though at some stage he must have served with 41 Squadron in France because much later, in August 1919 the award of a Military Medal to him for service was granted and notification printed in the London Gazette. He had been at Driffield from August 1918, which on his service record states was with the Arm.School. He married Elsie Atkinson in the Hull area in Summer 1919.