Interesting picture short finals, had a quick look at my records from the time
This report from the Waterford News on an accident involving a number 2 Squadron (RAF) Bristol Fighter H1490: (17/11/1920)
‘’On Wednesday about 1 o’clock an exciting affair occurred in Waterford when an aeroplane crashed to earth. No.H1490 was carrying the usual despatches from Fermoy to the military barracks at Waterford. It was noticed to be flying very low passing over the city and appeared to have developed engine trouble. Arriving over the barrack square, the machine struck the wireless gear and at once dived forward, then turned on its side and struck upside down on the roof of the licensed premises of Mr.Aspel in Barrack Street, just opposite the barracks.
The crash was heard for a wide area around and at once created much commotion. A number of soldiers of the Devon Regiment rushed from the barracks and ran up ladders to the roof. One of the soldiers scrambling on the roof, fell down through it, but was not injured beyond receiving a severe shaking. After great efforts, the two occupants of the machine were rescued and conveyed to the interior of the house. Both were unconscious and were taken on stretchers to the barracks hospital. In the meantime, a huge crowd had congregated around the scene of the accident and military with fixed bayonets kept them back. The machine, which is stuck fast on the roof of the house, is being dismantled,’’.
The crew were Flying Officer Briggs and his observer McKeechan. One broke a leg, the other an arm. The report in the paper described the great difficulties experienced by the rescuers, many of who were overcome with the fumes of the petrol from the machine which flowed all over the house.
This was the second crash in November 1920 for 2 Squadron, on the first day of the month Bristol Fighter F4354 struck a cow on takeoff from Fermoy. In those days cows were clearly a major hazard to aviation!
