Aeroplane Crash.
On Saturday 3 November 1934 two airmen, Alan Grant-Dalton (pilot) and Philip Rook hired a De Haviland Moth bi-plane from Tollerton Aerodrome for an hour to drop confetti on the house of a fellow airman,Mr John Soar of Beeston who was to marry Miss Janet Doreen Smith at Attenborough Parish Church that afternoon.
The plane was spotted at midday by wedding guest Herbert Cooper, who had been looking out for it. He called wedding guests to watch on the lawn. The plane looped twice and then the wings appeared to fold. The plane lost height slowly and came down in Kelham’s field. Both the crew died, and the plane caught fire. It was attended by Beeston fire crew. Wreckage from the plane landed on Chilwell Golfcourse and in surrounding fields. People finding any were instructed to hand it in at Beeston Police Station. The package of confetti was found near the plane.
Witnesses included the signal man at Attenborough Station and Mr Coogan and Mr Spick of Long Lane.The plane had folding wings so that it could be stored in a smaller hangar. It had been checked before take-off and was supposed to be in good order. A verdict of accidental death was recorded by the coroner. Parachutes were not compulsory in private planes in 1934. On this occasion they would have saved the crew. The crash site has been identified as in the vicinity of Ladybridge Close, Attenborough in the field that adjoins Chilwell Manor Golf Course.