Harrogate Herald - 4th April 1917

Roll of Honour

Second Lieutenant Colin Smith (18), of the Royal Flying Corps, of Harrogate, has been accidentally killed whilst flying on Sunday last.

Colonel W H B Brook, RAMC (T), conducted an inquest at the 4th Northern General Hospital, Lincoln, on Monday night :

Lieutenant W H Campbell, of the Canadian Infantry, said Lieutenant Smith on Sunday took a scout machine out of the aerodrome. He completed one circuit, reaching a height of about 1,000 feet, and then switched off to land. Apparently he forgot to put on the "right rudder", which was necessary to counteract the twist of the aeroplane, and the machine spun to the left, and got out of control. When some 400 feet up it suddenly dived to the ground.

Major S G Gilmour, commanding the 45th Reserve Squadron, RFC, said Lieutenant Smith was learning to fly, and was not a qualified pilot. He was a very promising, reliable man, and had the making of a good pilot. The lieutenant had flown a similar type.

A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.