Vildebeest K4588 at Atwick.
Between 28th August 1937 and 18th September 1937 No.22 (Torpedo Bombing) Squadron undertook a training camp at No.1 Armament Training Camp at Catfoss to carry out training in gunnery and bombing off the Yorkshire Coast. 22 Squadron were normally based at Donibristle, they flew to Catfoss on 28th August and then flew to Southampton on 18th September 1937. One of the training exercises carried out while the squadron was at Catfoss was to undertake live firing at drogues towed behind a towing aeroplane as well as practice bomb dropping onto targets. During the morning of Thursday, 2nd September 1937 at least two of the 22 Squadron aeroplanes were used to fly these exercises over the Skipsea ranges. Unfortunately at around 08.30hrs a collision occurred over the Atwick area during bomb dropping. Whether the collision occurred head on is not clear from newspaper reports but control of both aeroplanes was immediately lost. Witnesses on the ground differed with what they witnessed, some claimed to see three parachutists leave the aeroplanes while others say only three appeared. Both aeroplanes then crashed, K4588 crashed on land around fifteeen feet from the cliff top near Atwick and was destroyed by fire, K4606 fell into the sea around 200 yards off the Atwick coast. A strong south-westerly wind was blowing and while those who jumped from their aeroplanes left over land they unfortunately drifted out over the North Sea. One parachutist landed in the sea but close enough to shore that he was helped to the beach by members of the public having sustained only minor injuries. At least two of the other parachutists landed further out to sea while the third either also parachuted and landed in the sea or remained in the aeroplane. The crew of a fishing boat "Girl Freda" witnessed the events and were quickly over where the parachutes were seen on the water. They attemped to rescue those in the water but only found two unbuckled parachutes and harnesses which indicated both men had released themselves from their harnesses but were then lost. A Singapore flying boat was broughto Hornsea Mere the day after the accident to take part in the search but no trace of the three was found at the time. The body of Cheetham was discovered on the beach at Cowden on 10th September 1937. The body of Medd was discovered on the beach at Rolston on 19th September 1937. The body of Gurd was discovered on the beach at Mapleton on 6th December 1937.
Pilot (K4606) - Sgt John Medd RAF (564911), aged 22, of Orrell, Liverpool. Buried Sigglesthorne Churchyard, East Yorkshire.
Air Gunner (K4606)- Cpl Cecil George Gurd RAF (560621), aged 26, of Portsmouth. Buried Portsmouth.
Pilot (K4588) - P/O William Herbert Cheetham RAF (S.No.?), aged 22, of Ruislip, Middlesex. Cremated Golders Green, London.
Air Gunner (K4588) - AC1 Leslie Broadbent Wilson RAF (563943). Minor injuries.