Help with insignia please

[MaxD]

Good point Jim he does look rather naval

Should have been clearer. Depree was RFC and RAF clerk.

MaxD

[jim1]

As you can see this chap's an Officer. Not RFC or RAF but does have his pilot's wings.
I don't know enough about RFC/RAF Officers under Naval Command.
Seaweed might be able to enlighten us. (or at least me anyway).

[jess5athome]

Hi, is he Royal Naval Air Service?

Frank.

[jess5athome]

http://www.aeroconservancy.com/rnas%20visor%20cap%20full.jpg


Frank.

[MaxD]

Just straightening myself out.  The William J Dupree born 1881 whose records are available served in the RFC and the RAF as a clerk.  No record of pilot training.  The photo is therefore unlikely to be him.

However, the cap is so much like Frank's photo I'd plump also for RNAS.  There are a number of contemporary pics looking very similar example http://www.dawnpatroluk.co.uk/pilotcollishaw.htm

MaxD

Boy Scout - do you have another candidate, RNAS who would have become RAF on 1 Apr 18?

[jim1]

I'll go with RNAS also looks quite young, early - mid 20's would be my guess.

[Boy Scout]

Thanks to all for the interesting replies, this photograph came from a Depree family collection but without description. Also without any family oral history. During WW1 this Depree family line were resident in Putney.
Several other photographs are of family members (cousins) who are officers in tank regiments and therefore previously cavalry or machine gun types. My Depree assumption was based on the name,  in my inexperience he looked like a RAF chap due to what might be wings.

I'm not sure if this helps but it's all we have.

Thanks again

Boy Scout

[jim1]

Maybe he was billeted with the family.

[Boy Scout]

Thanks to everyone for these interesting and informative replies.

The cap and badge seems to sort him out. The IWM Everyman Remembered site have William James Depree has RAF/RFC but from what is said here he was in the RNAS which means that this picture was taken before the formulation of the RFC when they would have been amalgamated. The fact that he was a clerk fits in with what we know of this Depree both before and after the War.

Thanks to all again.

Boy Scout